Biomedical subjects

Ju Tae Seo

Publications and source records attributed to Ju Tae Seo.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

The clinical significance of bone mineral density and testosterone levels in Korean men with non-mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To measure bone mineral density (BMD) and testosterone levels in patients with non-mosaic Klinefelter's syndrome (KS), as a low BMD is common in hypogonadal men, but little is known about the relationship between BMD and serum testosterone levels in men with KS. PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 40 patients with KS and 20 healthy fertile men recruited as controls. Serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The BMD was obtained at the lumbar spine (L2-4), femoral neck and Ward's triangle, by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The serum testosterone level was lower, while FSH and LH were higher, in patients with KS than in the control group (P < 0.001). Patients with KS had a significantly lower mean (sd) BMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck and Ward's triangle, than the controls, at 0.88 (0.13) vs 1.09 (0.10) (P < 0.001), 0.78 (0.12) vs 0.87 (0.10) (P = 0.006) and 0.65 (0.12) vs 0.76 (0.11) g/cm(2) = 0.001), respectively. There was a linear correlation between all BMD values and serum testosterone levels in men with KS who had a low serum testosterone level. CONCLUSIONS: There was a relationship between a lower BMD and testosterone levels in patients with KS. These findings suggest that low testosterone levels cause inadequate bone development and a low BMD in men with KS; therefore, testosterone replacement might be necessary to prevent bone mineral deficiency and future risk of fractures in men with KS who also have low serum testosterone levels.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2006

Involvement of the Fas-Fas ligand system and active caspase-3 in abnormal apoptosis in human testes with maturation arrest and Sertoli cell-only syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence that the Fas-mediated apoptotic process may participate in developing hypospermatogenesis, such as maturation arrest (MA) and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCO). DESIGN: Prospective clinical and descriptive study. SETTING: Hospital-based infertility research laboratory and university laboratory. PATIENT(S): Twenty-two testicular biopsy specimens were obtained for routine clinical purposes from 12 men with nonobstructive azoospermia and from 10 men with obstructive azoospermia. INTERVENTION(S): In situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining was used for detection of apoptosis. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analyses were used for detection of testicular expressions of Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), and caspase-3. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Apoptotic indices and testicular expressions of apoptosis regulators. RESULT(S): Increased apoptosis of germ cells and Sertoli cells was observed in MA and SCO compared with normal spermatogenesis. In testes with MA, increased immunostaining for FasL was observed in the Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, while intense immunostaining of Fas was observed in primary degenerating spermatocytes. Active caspase-3 immunostaining was detected in the cytoplasm of both Sertoli cells and germ cells. In cases of SCO, expression of Fas, FasL, and active caspase-3 was detected both in Sertoli cells and in hyperplastic interstitial cells. CONCLUSION(S): The current study demonstrates that the expression of FasL is upregulated in the testes of patients with SCO and MA, which suggests that it may be associated with apoptotic elimination or altered maturation of Fas-expressing germ cells through the activation of caspase-3.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2006

Scrotal US for evaluation of infertile men with azoospermia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate prospectively the accuracy of scrotal ultrasonography (US) in distinguishing obstructive azoospermia from nonobstructive azoospermia in infertile men by using histologic findings as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board approved the study, and informed consent was obtained from each patient. Twenty infertile men (mean age, 34.7 years; 40 testes) with azoospermia were evaluated at scrotal US, with an emphasis on the course of the proximal genital duct: mediastinum testis, epididymal head, epididymal body, and epididymal tail. Testicular volumes were calculated by using the formula: length x height x width x 0.71. On the basis of histologic results, azoospermia was divided into two groups (obstructive vs nonobstructive) in all cases except one. Scrotal US findings between obstructive and nonobstructive azoospermia were compared. The Fisher exact and Wilcoxon signed rank sum tests were used to assess differences between both groups. RESULTS: Of 20 infertile men with azoospermia, 14 were proved to have obstructive azoospermia; the others had nonobstructive azoospermia. According to US findings, epididymal abnormalities in the head, body, and tail were significantly associated with obstructive azoospermia (17 [61%], 18 [64%], and 20 [71%] of 28 testes, respectively; P < .001 for all), while abnormalities of the mediastinum testis between both groups were not significant (P > .05). By taking epididymal abnormalities into account, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of scrotal US for differentiation of obstructive from nonobstructive azoospermia were 82.1% (23 of 28 scrota), 100% (12 of 12 scrota), and 87.5% (35 of 40 scrota), respectively. The median testicular volume in obstructive azoospermia was 11.6 mL (range, 7.7-25.8 mL) and that in nonobstructive azoospermia was 8.3 mL (range, 1.2-16.4 mL) (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Evaluation of the epididymis and measurement of testicular volume with scrotal US are important in distinguishing obstructive azoospermia from nonobstructive azoospermia in infertile men.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Pelvic organ support and prevalence by Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Quantification (POP-Q) in Korean women.

PURPOSE: We evaluated pelvic organ support and the prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse in Korean women using the Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Quantification system as the assessment tool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 713 women 18 to 72 years old who were seen for annual Papanicolaou testing and pelvic examinations. Pregnant patients and patients who had delivered within the previous 6 weeks were not recruited. All pelvic examinations were performed by a single examiner. The patient was examined in the dorsal lithotomy position in a pelvic examination chair positioned at a 15-degree angle. All 9 measurements except total vaginal length were taken with the patient performing the maximal Valsalva maneuver. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 41.6 years (range 18 to 72), mean weight +/- SD was 55.8 +/- 7.4 kg (range 40 to 83), mean height was 158.7 +/- 5.4 cm (range 138 to 177), mean body mass index was 22.3 +/- 8.1 kg/m2 (range 15.7 to 32) and median parity was 2 (range 0 to 6). Mean scores for the position of the cervix and posterior fornix, and total vaginal length were -5.0, -6.6 and 7.0 cm, respectively. In the 713 women with a uterus the incidence of anterior vaginal, uterine and posterior vaginal prolapse was 27.6%, 2.0% and 25.4%, respectively. The overall distribution of pelvic organ prolapse quantification system stage was stages 0 to 4 in 68.3%, 19.9%, 11.2%, 0.6% and 0.0% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Vaginal size in Korean women differs from that in Western women. The prevalence of any degree of prolapse was approximately 31.7%. Korean women were at relatively higher risk for anterior and posterior vaginal prolapse than for uterine prolapse.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Changes in the scrotal temperature of subjects in a sedentary posture over a heated floor.

As Koreans habitually sit on the heated floor in their residential buildings, the male testis is directly exposed, and is therefore affected by the floor surface temperature. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the scrotal temperature of the subjects in a sedentary posture over the heated floor. A rigid screening test was performed to select healthy subjects. Finally, six college students volunteered to participate in the experiments. Two experiments were performed in a controlled environmental chamber. Experiment I was designed for a low metabolism state, with the subjects reading a book in a sedentary posture for 50 min. The floor surface temperature (tf) was controlled by varying the temperature of water (tw) flowing into the floor coil from 15 to 50 degrees C, at 5 degrees C intervals. Experiment I revealed that the final scrotal surface temperature was 32.27, 32.62, 33.51, 33.34, 34.14, 34.28, 34.34 and 35.04 degrees C at the tw 15 degrees C (tf 17.0 degrees C), 20 degrees C (tf 20.8 degrees C), 25 degrees C (tf 24.1 degrees C), 30 degrees C (tf 27.8 degrees C), 35 degrees C (tf 31.7 degrees C), 40 degrees C (tf 35.9 degrees C), 45 degrees C (tf 38.6 degrees C) and 50 degrees C (tf 42.2 degrees C), respectively. At tf 17.0 and 20.8 degrees C, the scrotal temperature exhibited a declining pattern and a low temperature for spermatogenesis. At tf 24.1, 27.8 and 31.7 degrees C, however, the thermal regulatory system of the scrotum and testis was activated appropriately. On the contrary, scrotal temperature ascended at tf 35.9, 38.6 and 42.2 degrees C. Of the six subjects, two subjects demonstrated scrotal temperatures above 35 degrees C at tf 38.6 degrees C and four subjects exhibited scrotal temperatures above 35 degrees C at tf 42.2 degrees C. Experiment II was designed for a high metabolism state, with the subjects playing a card game in a sedentary posture for 180 min. The tf was controlled by varying the tw from 30 to 40 degrees C, at 5 degrees C intervals. Experiment II revealed that the final scrotal temperature was 33.43, 34.78 and 35.61 degrees C, and the difference between the initial and final scrotal temperatures was +0.34, +1.06 and +2.24 degrees C, at tw 30 degrees C (tf 27.8 degrees C), 35 degrees C (tf 31.7 degrees C) and tw 40 degrees C (tf 35.9 degrees C), respectively. The scrotal temperature was affected by the floor surface temperature and by the rate of metabolism of the subject in a sedentary posture. As derived from regression analysis, the recommended surface temperature of a heated floor is within 23-33 degrees C under the assumption that scrotal and consecutively testicular temperature above 35 degrees C impairs spermatogenesis.

Body Temperature↗

PubMed2005

Expression of mucin genes in the human testis and its relationship to spermatogenesis.

In this study we investigate the expression pattern of mucin genes in the human testis and evaluate the relationship between the expression of mucin genes and impaired spermatogenesis in the human testis. Thirty human testis tissues were collected from patients undergoing diagnostic testicular biopsy to investigate the cause of infertility. One part of the tissue underwent histological observation, and the other part of the tissue was subjected to semiquantitative RT-PCR of mucin genes, that is, mucin1, 2, 3, 4, and 9. The relative amount of mucin mRNAs was calculated by densitometry using glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as an internal control. The samples were histologically diagnosed as either obstructive azoospermia with normal spermatogenesis (n = 13) or non-obstructive azoospermia with impaired spermatogenesis (n = 17). In the human testis with normal spermatogenesis, mRNA expression of mucin1, 9, 13 and GAPDH were found, but RT-PCR products of mucin 2, 3 and 4 were not detected. In the testis with impaired spermatogenesis, however, RT-PCR product of mucin1 was not found. There was no difference in the other mucin mRNA expression patterns between the testis with either normal or impaired spermatogenesis. To our knowledge, this study is the first that has detected the mRNA of mucin9 and 13 in human testis. This study also shows that mucin1 expression might be closely related to spermatogenesis. Our findings should be substantiated by more direct evidence, such as mucin protein expression and localization.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Efficacy of functional electrical stimulation-biofeedback with sexual cognitive-behavioral therapy as treatment of vaginismus.

OBJECTIVES: To report 12 cases of vaginismus that were successfully treated with functional electrical stimulation (FES)-biofeedback with sexual cognitive-behavioral therapy (SCBT) to determine the efficacy of FES-biofeedback with SCBT as a standard therapy for vaginismus. Vaginismus is an involuntary spasm of the musculature of the outer third of the vagina that leads to impossible vaginal penetration, causing personal distress. Various therapeutic approaches, both physiologic and psychological, have been considered. METHODS: Twelve women with vaginismus referred from a checkup outpatient clinic participated in this study. The patients enrolled in this study had vaginismus according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The patients were assessed before and after treatment with gynecologic examinations and structured interviews pertaining to sexual function and psychological adjustment. After the diagnosis of vaginismus, we conducted weekly pelvic floor muscle relaxation using FES-biofeedback. Once the patients became tolerable to vaginal manipulation, the eight-stage SCBT (eight-stage gradual desensitization described by Kaplan using vaginal self-dilation with fingers and vaginal probe insertion) was added for 8 weeks. RESULTS: After 8 weeks of treatment, all 12 couples had completed the program, had become tolerable to vaginal insertion of larger size probes, and could achieve satisfactory vaginal intercourse. CONCLUSIONS: FES-biofeedback with SCBT is an effective aid for patients with vaginismus to learn muscle control. Therefore, it may increase the success rate of treatment of vaginismus.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

A randomized prospective study comparing new vaginal cone and FES-Biofeedback.

Several different methods of enhancing pelvic floor functions have been developed and modified. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a new vaginal cone with conventional FES-Biofeedback therapy for female urinary incontinence, with respect to pelvic floor rehabilitation. One hundred and twenty patients, who required a non-surgical treatment for urinary incontinence, were divided randomly into two groups; (1) the Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)- Biofeedback group (or BFB group) and (2) the new vaginal cone group (or cone group). For a period of six weeks, two training sessions each week were carried out on the BFB group. The new 150-gram dumbbell-shaped vaginal cone, made of fine ceramic material, was developed domestically. A therapist instructed patients in the cone group upon its use for pelvic floor exercise, and directed the exercise to be repeated at home daily; these patients had follow-up visits every week. Objective improvements were obvious in both groups. 88.3% and 91.6% of the cone and BFB groups showed an improvement after treatment, respectively. There was no significant difference in the improvement or dissatisfaction scores of the two groups. In conclusion, no significant differences in the therapeutic effects were observed between the FES- Biofeedback and the new vaginal cone groups. Considering improvements in the quality of life and objective symptoms, the therapeutic effects of the two techniques showed no significant differences. The new vaginal cone is relatively easy to use at home and aids in pelvic floor muscle exercises. Consequently, the new vaginal cone could be used as an alternative non-surgical treatment modality in female stress urinary incontinence.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Successful testicular sperm extraction in Korean Klinefelter syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical features of Korean Klinefelter syndrome (KS) and the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection using fresh testicular spermatozoa obtained by testicular sperm extraction from these infertile men. Most patients with KS have a nonmosaic 47,XXY karyotype, and about 3% of males with KS are mosaic (46,XY/47,XXY). Great variability is present in the clinical findings. Testicular sperm extraction in conjunction with intracytoplasmic sperm injection has been performed in men with KS in the hope of finding spermatozoa, and some men with KS have had sperm retrieved successfully and achieved pregnancy. METHODS: From January 2000 to January 2002, 42 azoospermic patients were diagnosed with KS after cytogenic evaluation. The karyotypes for all patients were determined by cytologic analysis, including the evaluation of more than 30 peripheral blood lymphocyte metaphases. The patients underwent history and physical examination. The testicular volume was measured using an orchidometer. Semen analysis was performed twice according to the methods recommended by the World Health Organization. Their hormonal profile was also assessed. RESULTS: Our study groups consisted of 36 patients with KS, 11 with mosaic and 25 with nonmosaic KS. Testicular sperm extraction was performed in all 36 patients. In 10 patients (27%), mature sperm were found in the wet preparation and were used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. No statistically significant correlation was found between sperm extraction and age, serum follicle-stimulating hormone, serum testosterone, or testicular volume. The sperm retrieval rate of the patients with mosaic and nonmosaic KS was 54.5% and 16%, respectively. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection using fresh testicular spermatozoa resulted in a total fertilization rate of 50%. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, patients with mosaic KS had a greater rate of successful sperm retrieval than did those with nonmosaic KS. However, age, serum follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone level, and testicular volume had no statistically significant relationship with successful sperm retrieval. Testicular sperm obtained from patients with KS induced fertilization and delivery of chromosomally normal children.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Necrotic cell death of ovarian adenocarcinoma caused by seminal plasma.

OBJECTIVE: From the knowledge of risk factors of epithelial ovarian cancer, we deduced a hypothesis that human seminal plasma (HSP) has a preventive role in the development of epithelial ovarian cancer. To examine whether HSP directly influences the growth of ovarian cancer, we have investigated the in vitro and in vivo effect of HSP on ovarian adenocarcinoma cell lines (SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3) in comparison with its effects on normal ovarian surface epithelial cells (NOSE). METHODS: Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Cytotoxic effect was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis, by DNA laddering, and by morphological analysis. In vivo therapeutic effect of HSP was evaluated by the subcutaneous inoculation of SK-OV-3 cells in nude mice (BALB-c) model. RESULTS: HSP at a final concentration of 1:50 induced a time- and dose-dependent inhibition of SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3 growth, whereas NOSE was not affected. Flow cytometric analysis, DNA laddering, and morphological analysis indicated that HSP induced necrosis, rather than apoptosis, of both ovarian carcinoma cell lines. In in vivo experiment that used the nude mice (Balb-C) with tumor inoculation of SK-OV-3 cells, HSP induced necrosis of tumor with no detectable toxic effects on the major organs. CONCLUSION: These results show that HSP inhibits the growth and induces the necrosis of epithelial ovarian cancer cells and suggests that one or more components of HSP may provide a scientific basis for preventing epithelial ovarian cancer.

Acridine Orange↗

PubMed2003

Influence of motility on the outcome of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection with fresh vs. frozen testicular sperm from men with obstructive azoospermia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of fresh vs. frozen testicular sperm on fertilization and pregnancy using intracytoplasmic sperm injection. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Hospital-based infertility research laboratory. PATIENT(S): One hundred sixty patients with obstructive azoospermia undergoing testicular sperm extraction (TESE). INTERVENTION(S): Sections of seminiferous tubule were cryopreserved after TESE. Sperm motility and fertilizing ability were determined after thawing seminiferous tubule sections. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sperm motility and optimal fertilization and pregnancy rate. RESULT(S): Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed using fresh testicular sperm (fresh-sperm group; 84 cases) and thawed seminiferous tubules (thawed-sperm group; 177 cases). The overall fertilization rate was 65.4%, and the pregnancy rate was 34.0%. In the fresh-sperm group, the fertilization rate was 70.9%, and the pregnancy rate was 38.8%. In the thawed-sperm group, the fertilization rate was 62.7%, and the pregnancy rate was 21.7%. Fertilization rates were higher using fresh motile sperm vs. nonmotile sperm (77.0% vs. 29.3%). Pregnancy rates were higher using fresh motile sperm vs. nonmotile sperm (44.3% vs. 20.0%). The fertilization and pregnancy rates of motile vs. nonmotile sperm extracted from the thawed seminiferous tubule were 70.0% vs. 50.9% and 33.9% vs. 27.3%, respectively. Motile spermatozoa could be obtained several hours after thawing in most of the cases. CONCLUSION(S): Optimal fertilization and pregnancy rates were achieved using fresh vs. frozen sperm obtained using TESE when motile sperm were identified. Motile spermatozoa provided superior results to nonmotile sperm and are necessary for optimal fertilization and pregnancy outcomes.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Apoptosis: its importance in spermatogenic dysfunction.

Apoptosis, spontaneous programmed cell death, has recently generated great interest in several areas of investigation, including infertility. Selective sperm cell death also seems to be a component of normal spermatogenesis. A better understanding of this process may lead to the development of new strategies to treat intrinsic testicular failure.

Apoptosis↗