Doppler assessment of fetal aortic isthmus flow in twin.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the aortic isthmus (AoI) flow difference between larger fetus and smaller fetus of twin; and to evaluate the predictive value of early diagnosis of hemodynamic change in twin growth.

Methods: This prospective study on 49 pairs of twin fetuses was performed to obtain AoI blood flow data. Cases with structural or chromosomal abnormalities and co-twin death were excluded.

Uncommon and rare human papillomavirus genotypes relating to cervical carcinomas.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an oncogenic virus in cervical cancer and most invasive carcinomas (ICs) are caused by HPV16 and 18. However, the roles and contributions of other uncommon and rare genotypes remain uncertain.

Methods: HPV genotypes were retrospectively assessed using an HPV DNA chip that can specify up to 32 HPV genotypes.

Effect of human papillomavirus genotype on severity and prognosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Objective: This study evaluated the effect of the specific human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes on severity and prognosis in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) patients.

Methods: The medical records of 446 patients treated with loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) were reviewed. The severity of CIN was categorized as CIN1/CIN2 versus CIN3+ including CIN3 and carcinoma in situ (CIS).

Inhibition of erythropoiesis by Smad6 in human cord blood hematopoietic stem cells.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) that belong to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily cytokines, play crucial roles in hematopoiesis. However, roles of Smad6 in hematopoiesis remained unknown in contrast to the other inhibitory Smad (I-Smad), Smad7. Here we show that Smad6 inhibits erythropoiesis in human CD34(+) cord blood hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy and laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy.

Background And Objectives: To compare the feasibility of total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) and laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) in the treatment of benign gynecologic diseases and to determine the selection criteria for each technique.

Methods: This was a retrospective medical records review of 168 patients who underwent TLH or LAVH performed by one surgeon. A chi-square test was used to compare the difference between the TLH and LAVH groups.

Expression of heat shock protein 60 kDa is upregulated in cervical cancer.

Purpose: Cervical cancer caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) continues to be the cause of yearly death among women. However, it is a curable disease when diagnosed at an early stage. Recently, several researches have reported that heat shock protein (HSP) 60, a chaperone protein of molecular weight of 60 kDa, is involved in carcinogenesis and apoptosis.

Differential diagnostic features of small cell carcinoma in the uterine cervix.

Small cell carcinoma (SMCC) of the uterine cervix is rare and known to be an aggressive tumor, but there are only few reports on the cytologic features of cervical SMCC. This rare small cell lesion should be distinguished from malignant lymphoma (ML), squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCIS), and chronic lymphocytic cervicitis (CLC). By clarifying cytologic features and reevaluating the significance of cervical cytologic smears to reveal these cervical lesions, we can improve the diagnostic specificity and patient's outcome.

Telomerase and apoptosis in the placental trophoblasts of growth discordant twins.

In an effort to investigate the molecular basis of growth discordance in embryos that experience the same uterine environment, we compared telomerase activity and apoptosis in placental trophoblasts obtained from growth discordant twins. Between January 2003 and February 2005, placental tissue from twenty pairs of twins was obtained within thirty minutes of delivery. Eleven cases were classified as growth discordant, with birth weight discordance greater than 20%.

Minilaparotomically assisted vaginal hysterectomy.

Endoscopic hysterectomy is increasingly selected as a current trend to minimize invasion, tissue trauma and early recovery. However it has disadvantages of the difficulty to learn and needs expensive equipments. So we developed a new minimally invasive method of vaginal hysterectomy-minilaparotomically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (MAVH) in order to complement the current laparoscopic surgery.