Long-Term Tropical Residency Diminishes Central Sudomotor Sensitivities in Male Subjects

Tropical natives (TROP) are capable of tolerating tropical heat because of their long-term adaptation to tropical environments. When exposed to heat stress, these natives tend to respond with lower sweat output, which is generally thought to be the result of heat acclimatization. The main objective of this study was to clarify central mechanisms inherent to suppressed thermal sweating in tropical natives (Malaysians) by comparing their sweating responses to those of temperate native (TEMP) (Koreans). This experiment was conducted in a thermoneutral climatic chamber (24+/-0.5 degrees C, 40+/-3% relative humidity). Heat loads were applied to each subject by the immersion of their lower legs in a hot water bath (43 degrees C for 30 min). Sweat onset-time and sweat volume were compared between TROP and TEMP. The sweat onset-times on four selected points on the body ranged from 10.25 to 13.47 min in TEMP subjects, and from 16.24 to 17.83 min in TROP subjects (p<0.001). The local sweat volumes at the same sites ranged from 4.30 to 9.74 mg/cm2 in TEMP subjects, and from between 1.80 to 4.40 mg/cm2 in TROP subjects (p<0.001). These results demonstrated a significant difference between TROP and TEMP subjects with regard to the manner in which they regulate their body temperatures when exposed to heat loads, and verified that long-term thermal adaptation blunts sweating sensitivities.

A Case of Mixed Gonadal Dysgenesis With 45X/46XY Karyotype and Patent Ductus Arteriosus / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Mixed gonadal dysgenesis (MGD) with 45X/XY karyotype and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a rare congenital abnormality. A thirty eight month-old male patient was admitted to our urology department for evaluation of ambiguous genitalia. On physical examination, a ptosis, a wide neck with a low posterior hairline, small phallus, testis in the right labioscrotal fold, urethral opening on the penoscrotal junction, and typical findings of patent ductus arteriosus were present. The chromosome karyotype of the patient was 45X/XY. On the laparotomy there were infantile fallopian tubes, ovary and a immature testis on the left. The treatment of the patien1 included gender identity. excision of mullerian structure, left gonadectomy, urethroplasty, biopsy of right testis and double ligation of PDA. We report a case of mixed gonadal dysgenesis with 45X/XY karyotype and patent ductus arteriosus.

Evaluation of Erectile Dysfunction with Continuous Monitoring of Penile Rigidity / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Measurement of nocturnal penile tumescence or circumferential expansion is a valuable method for the diagnosis of erectile impotence. However, only a few investigation have been made of penile rigidity during tumescence with a single isolated measurement. Continuous and simultaneous recording of nocturnal penile rigidity and tumescence is preferred than measuring tumescence alone to define the features of nocturnal penile erection and differentiate psychogenic from organic impotence. Rigiscan is suitable for this purpose. This new method was used in 33 normal volunteers and 20 patients who complain erectile dysfunction. Circumferential expansion was not always accompanied by penile rigidity. A dissociation of rigidity between the tip and base of the penis was observed in some patients. Shortened episodes and low amplitude of rigidity and flat episodes also were seen. The higher the age, the shorter the duration and number of events were seen in normal group (P<0.05) . In patient group, event and duration were shorter than normal group (P<0.05). The findings of flat trace or abnormal erection provide valuable informations to screen the organic impotence. Because of its ambulatory character the continuous measurement of nocturnal penile rigidity is of value in defining features of nocturnal penile erection and differentiating psychogenic from organic impotence.