Detection of the Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory(StAR) Protein in Human Testicular Tissue / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: A crucial event in the acute regulation of steroidogenesis by tropic hormone is the delivery of cholesterol from cytosol into the mitochondrial inner membrane where it is converted to pregnenolone by the cytochrome P45O cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme. Recently, it has been observed that the acute production of steroid hormone depends on a rapidly synthesized, cycloheximide sensitive and highly labile protein that appeared in response to tropic hormone. This protein was named as Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory(StAR) protein. The purpose of this experiment was to detect the StAR protein in human testicular tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human testicular tissues were obtained during the surgery in patients with cryptorchidism, infertility, and prostate cancer Northern blotting hyridization and RT-PCR were performed to detect the StAR mRNA in human testicular tissues. In addition, immunohistochemical staining was performed to test the presence of the StAR protein in human testicular tissues. RESULTS: The StAR mRNA was detected as a weak band in prostate cancer and infertility patients, but not detected in cryptorchidism patients by Northern blotting hybridization. In RT-PCR of human testicular tissues for StAR mRNA, RT-PCR products(about 2000p) were shown to have in cryptorchidism, infertility, and prostate cancer patients. In immunohistochemical staining of human StAR protein, immunoreactivity of human StAR protein was positive in the interstitial tissues of human testis. CONCLUSIONS: The StAR protein that plays a key role in the steroidogenesis was detected in human testicular tissues and this protein will be effective in pathogenesis and treatment of the diseases that are associated with steroid hormones.

A Case of Multiple Urothelial Cell Carcinoma in Retrocaval Ureter / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Retrocaval ureter is a congenital venous anomaly, in which the ureter passes behind and is compassed by inferior vena cava. We experienced a case of multiple urothelial cell carcinoma in retrocaval ureter in 68 years old male. He was treated with transurethral resection of bladder tumor and right nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision.

Changes in Impulse Discharge of Muscular Afferent Fiber Activated by Lactic Acid / 대한정형외과학회잡지

In anesthetized cats the effects of lactate-activated muscle spindle upon the group Ia muscular afferent fibers were studied. Laminectomy was done from L5 to Sl spinal cord level. Extracellular recording was done at dorsal root to record the impulse discharge from group Ia muscular afferent fibers. 1) Muscle spindle of Gastrocnemius-Soleus muscle were activated by lactate injection and exhibited increased impulse discharge through group Ia muscular afferent fibers. 2) There was latency of 7-12 seconds before muscle spindle is activated by lactate injection. But the whole response was not dose related. 3) The response pattern after lactate injection was divided into three groups which were excitation, inhibition and inhibition with preceding excitation. 4) Some responses were similar to those of bradykinin, sympathetic stimulation (adrenaline injection) and succinylcholine injection. 5) It was suggested that muscle spindle has characteristics of polymodal receptor which has responses to not only mechanical stimulation but also chemical stimulation.

A Clinical Study on Pathologic Fractures / 대한정형외과학회잡지

A pathologic fracture is a fracture of a bone with preexisting structural weakness. When considering the local treatment of pathologic fractures, those resulting from disorders which cause a generalized weakness of the whole or part of the skeleton can be largely treated conservatively. And those because of localized bone destruction or weakness often require operative treatment. For ten years from 1973 to 1983, we observed and analysed 26 cases of pathologic fractures, excluding those due to osteoporosis. The results were as follows: 1. The age distribution showed an even pattern, and the male to female ratio was 58% (15 Males): 42% (11 Females). 2. The underlying etiologies were infection in 6 cases (23%), disturbance in skeletal development in 7 cases (27%), benign tumorous lesion in 10 cases (38%) and malignant tumorous lesion in 3 cases (12%). 3. The most common site was femur, 54% (14 cases). 4. Previous treatment was carried on 38% (10 cases). 5. Of the 26 cases, conservative treatment was done in 4 cases (15%) and surgical treatment was done in 22 cases (85%).