TCF and Groucho-related genes influence pituitary growth and development.

Mutations in the prophet of PIT1 gene (PROP1) are the most common cause of multiple pituitary hormone deficiency in humans; however, the mechanism of PROP1 action is not well understood. We report that Prop1 is essential for dorsally restricted expression of a Groucho-related gene, transducin-like enhancer of split 3 (Tle3), which encodes a transcriptional corepressor. Deficiency of a related gene, amino terminal enhancer of split (Aes), causes pituitary anomalies and growth insufficiency.

Expression of angiogenesis- and apoptosis-related genes in chorionic villi derived from recurrent pregnancy loss patients.

Angiogenesis takes place during embryogenesis, characterized by the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. This biological process is also found in the female reproductive system, wound healing, and cancer development. Apoptosis, programmed cell death, is a physiological process in development, tissue homeostasis, and disease.

Expression of the mitochondrial ATPase6 gene and Tfam in Down syndrome.

We investigated the expression of the mitochondrial ATPase6 gene whose product is active in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and compared it to the expression of Tfam, an important regulator of the transcription and replication of mtDNA. Our aim was to examine a possible relation between mitochondrial gene expression and Down syndrome. The expression of ATPase6 and Tfam was analyzed by RT-PCR amplification of the mRNA in cultured amniocytes from Down syndrome and normal fetuses.

Live births after vitrification of oocytes in a stimulated in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer program.

Objective: To assess the usefulness of the vitrification method in clinical practice.

Design: Clinical study of vitrification of human oocytes.

Setting: A university-affiliated hospital.

Genetic analysis of three polymorphic sites of the luteinizing hormone beta-subunit gene in infertile Korean men with nonobstructive azoospermia.

Objective: To investigate the genetic background of nonobstructive male factor infertility.

Design: Clinical and controlled study.

Patient(s): Ninety-five nonobstructive male infertile patients (75 with azoospermia, 18 with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, and two with oligozoospermia) and 200 healthy fertile control men.

Skeletal changes of maxillary protraction in patients exhibiting skeletal class III malocclusion: a comparison of three skeletal maturation groups.

This cephalometric study evaluated skeletal and dentoalveolar changes produced by rapid maxillary expansion and facial mask therapy in 85 subjects exhibiting a Class III malocclusion with a retruded maxilla. The skeletal maturity of individual patients was assessed on the basis of Fishman's skeletal maturity indicator (SMI), using hand-wrist radiographs at the initiation of treatment, to determine the relationship between the effect of maxillary protraction and skeletal age. Patients were divided into three groups: prepubertal growth peak group (SMI 1-3), pubertal growth peak group (SMI 4-7), and postpubertal growth peak group (SMI 8-11).

Isolation, characterization, and mapping of the stay green mutant in rice.

Leaf color turns yellow during senescence due to the degradation of chlorophylls and photosynthetic proteins. A stay green mutant was isolated from the glutinous japonica rice Hwacheong- wx through N-methyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis. Leaves of the mutant remained green, while turning yellow in those of the wild-type rice during senescence.

Effect of antioxidant probucol for preventing stent restenosis.

Probucol is a lipid-lowering drug that has an antioxidant effect. The authors sought to investigate the effect of probucol on stent restenosis after the usual 3-day pretreatment protocol. From March 1999 to August 2000, 78 patients (mean age, 56 +/- 8; 49 male) with coronary artery disease who underwent coronary stenting were enrolled.

Comparison of gene expression at the feto-maternal interface between normal and recurrent pregnancy loss patients.

Normal pregnancy requires a series of immunological, metabolic, vascular and endocrine regulating processes. However, the specific genes and proteins involved in these processes are not well defined. Aberration of these processes may lead to problems in pregnancy.

Synthesis of chiral pilocarpine analogues via a C-8 ketone intermediate.

The synthesis of a chiral pilocarpine analogue 3 in which the lactone ring is replaced by an oxazolidinone and the bridging methylene group is in the ketone oxidation state has been accomplished. The utility of this compound as a key intermediate for the preparation of more complex structures was demonstrated by its reduction to two alcohol epimers and its reaction with a methylene ylide.

Risk factors for epistaxis during nasotracheal intubation.

We performed a study to confirm which risk factors are significantly associated with epistaxis during nasotracheal intubation. One hundred patients who underwent nasotracheal intubation were included. Risk factors for epistaxis were analysed using the multiple logistic regression analysis with stepwise variable selection method.

Feasibility and safety of concomitant left internal mammary arteriography at the setting of the right transradial coronary angiography.

We investigated the feasibility and safety of concomitant left internal mammary artery (LIMA) angiography at the setting of the right transradial coronary angiography (TRCA). LIMA angiography was performed using a 5 Fr Simmons-type catheter with a newly modified tip in 184 consecutive patients. The catheter was reformed in the descending (new method) or ascending (traditional method) aorta and manipulated to cannulate the left subclavian artery and LIMA orifice.

Altered expression of the DNA repair protein, N-methylpurine-DNA glycosylase (MPG) in human gonads.

Background: The multifunctional mammalian MPG is responsible for a damaged DNA base in the nucleus. The DNA repair enzyme is transported from the cytoplasm to nucleus to repair the DNA base when it is damaged. If the enzyme does not work properly, the damaged DNA may lead to carcinogenesis, cell death, aging or infertility.

The rgl-1 is a legitimate homologue of lethal giant larvae recessive oncogene in rat.

We have cloned a rat homologue of the Drosophila recessive oncogene lethal (2) giant larvae from rat brain by RT-PCR using primers prepared from sequences conserved amongst lgl family genes. Sequence analysis predicts that the rat rgl-1 gene encodes a 1,036 amino acid polypeptide with a molecular weight of approximately 112 kDa, which contains a domain characteristic of WD-40 proteins. Northern blot analysis revealed that the highest expression of rgl-1 is detected in the testis, with moderate expression in ovary, brain, spleen, and kidney.

Nurses' assessment of postoperative pain: can it be an alternative to patients' self-reports?

This study was designed to evaluate whether the nurses' assessment of postoperative pain can be an alternative to patients' self-reporting. We examined 187 patients receiving postoperative intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. The nurses assessed the patients' pain with three pain indices (therapeutic efficacy, pain intensity, and facial pain expression) 8 hr after operation.

Clinical Analysis of Phyllodes Tumor of the Breast.

Purpose: Phyllodes tumors are fibroepithelial mammary lesions that tend to behave in a benign fashion but may undergo sarcomatous transformation. They account for 0.3 to 0.

Gene amplification and expression of the DNA repair enzyme, N-methylpurine-DNA glycosylase (MPG) in HPV-infected cervical neoplasias.

Background: Lethal and mutagenic damages of DNA is caused by a variety of agents including viruses. It is known that HPV is one of the major causes of cervical carcinogenesis and that cells eliminate DNA lesions with DNA repair enzymes. However, the role of N-methylpurine-DNA glycosylase (MPG) is not known in the development of cervical cancer.

Nonselective left internal mammary artery angiography during right transradial coronary angiography: a simple, rapid, and safe technique.

Internal mammary artery angiography is increasingly required, but the technique for left internal mammary artery (LIMA) angiography during right transradial coronary angiography is not well established. The authors investigated the feasibility and safety of a new, simple, and rapid nonselective technique. Following right transradial coronary angiography, LIMA angiography was performed using a 5 French (Fr) Judkins JL-3.

Does prayer influence the success of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer? Report of a masked, randomized trial.

Objective: To assess the potential effect of intercessory prayer (IP) on pregnancy rates in women being treated with in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

Study Design: Prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical trial in which patients and providers were not informed about the intervention. Statisticians and investigators were masked until all the data had been collected and clinical outcomes were known.

Bilateral selective internal mammary artery angiography via right radial approach: clinical experience with newly designed Yumiko catheter.

The radial artery has been increasingly used as a primary access site for coronary angiography and intervention. But the technique for internal mammary artery (IMA) visualization via the right radial artery has not been well described. Therefore, the study was conducted to investigate the feasibility, safety, and adequacy of selective bilateral IMA angiography via the right radial artery using the recently developed Yumiko catheter.

Fertility outcome after tubal anastomosis by laparoscopy and laparotomy.

Study Objective: To evaluate fertility outcome and benefit of laparoscopic tubal anastomosis compared with laparotomy.

Design: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: University hospital.

Computerized analysis of fetal heart rate parameters by gestational age.

Objective: The aim of this study is to define the reference ranges for fetal heart rate (FHR) parameters according to gestational age, by determining the relationship between the FHR and gestational age using a computerized FHR analysis system.

Methods: Using our own software developed by Hanyang University Hospital in Korea, non-stress tests were performed for 20 min. FHR parameters for 6455 subjects were analyzed for various gestational groups; <25 weeks, 25-28 weeks, 29-32 weeks, 33-36 weeks, 37-40 weeks, and >40 weeks.

Combined right transradial coronary angiography and selective carotid angiography: safety and feasibility in unselected patients.

We evaluated the safety and feasibility of ad hoc carotid angiography following the right transradial coronary angiography. Selective carotid angiography was performed subsequent to coronary angiography in 213 consecutive patients. A 5 Fr Simmons catheter was reformed in descending or ascending aorta, then, withdrawn and rotated to cannulate the left and right carotid artery.

Establishment of an animal embryo culture system containing various embryotropins and its efficacy for culturing ICR mouse one-cell embryos derived in vivo or in vitro.

Objective: To develop an effective ICR mouse embryo culture medium.

Design: In vitro model study.

Setting: University-affiliated hospital.

Electrical resistivity of the upper arm and leg yields good estimates of whole body fat.

Single frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis is an inexpensive, quick and painless means of estimating body composition. However, current approaches to estimating body composition from segment resistivity have some drawbacks. The purpose of this study was to overcome these limitations by developing a better model of the relationship between resistivity and body composition.