ABSTRACT
Purpose: We investigated the effects of sex steroids on the maxi-K channel activities of the single smooth muscle cells of the human vas deferens. Materials and Methods: Human vas deferens cells were isolated using proteolytic enzymes (collagense and papain), and then they were employed for an electrophysiological study with using the inside-out patch clamp configurations. The intracellular calcium concentrations were adjusted between 0.1mum to 1mum, and the membrane potentials were depolarized. Results: The maxi-K channels were identified by their single channel conductance and calcium dependency. The application of 10ng/dl estrogen induced a significant increment of the maxi-K channel activities. The effects were not affected by the change of the intracellular calcium concentration. The other sex steroids (progesterone and testosterone) rarely affected the maxi-K channel activities. Conclusions: Estrogen has stimulatory effects on the maxi-K channel activity of human vas deferens. This suggests that estrogen may relax the human vas deferens via maxi-K channel activation.
Subject(s)
Humans , Calcium , Estrogens , Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels , Membrane Potentials , Myocytes, Smooth Muscle , Peptide Hydrolases , Steroids , Vas DeferensABSTRACT
This is a review and clinical analysis of 1420 cases of burn patients who were treated at the Department of surgery, Hanil Hospital during 6 years from 1991 to 1996. The following results were obtained. 1) The age group distribution showed that the highest incidence of burn patients was in the between 30 and 39 years old.(323 cases, 22.8%). 2) The highest incidence of burn in the seasonal distribution was in the winter(383 cases, 26.9%). 3) The most common cause of the burns was scalding by hot liquids(444 cases, 31.2%). 4) The most frequent period of interval between accident and the arrival at the hospital was within 24 hours or less(1122 cases, 79.0%). 5) The most frequent duration of treatment was within 2 weeks or less(620 cases, 43.7%). 6) Most patients were affected less than 10% of burn(783 cases, 55.1%). 7) Second degree was most frequent burn depth(583 cases, 41.1%). 8) In 336 cases of burn wound culture, the main organism were Pseudomonas aeruginosa 231 cases(68.7%), Staphylococcus aureus 183 cases(41.0%), and others. 9) Operation was performed in 483 cases(34.0%). Skin graft 471cases, escharotomy 132 cases, fasciotomy 26cases, amputation 13 cases, primary repair 29cases. The most frequent period of skin grafting was between 3 to 4 weeks(253 cases). 10) The complication of burn were wound infection 435 cases(25.4%), UTI 96 cases(6.7%), others. 11) The overall mortality rate was 8.7%(124/1420) and the most frequnt cause of death was sepsis in 58 cases(46.8%).
Subject(s)
Humans , Amputation, Surgical , Burns , Cause of Death , Incidence , Mortality , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Seasons , Sepsis , Skin , Skin Transplantation , Staphylococcus aureus , Transplants , Wound Infection , Wounds and InjuriesABSTRACT
No abstract available.