No abstract available.
Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic*

Herpes zoster represents the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus located in the dorsal root ganglion. The virus multiplies and migrates to the skin surface producing a characteristic, usually painful, pustular eruption. Severe pain during the acute phase of herpes zoster has been associated with a higher risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia. Sympathetic ganglion blocks have been used for patients in the acute phase of herpes zoster to alleviate pain and prevent postherpetic neuralgia. We experienced 2 cases of patients with acute herpes zoster in which one of them presented with pain localized to the dermatomal distribution of L2-3, the other T3. The authors report the results achieved in treatment of the herpes zoster patients, using radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the sympathetic ganglion.
Electrocoagulation* ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Ganglia, Sympathetic ; Herpes Zoster* ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic ; Skin ; Sympathectomy*

In order to evaluate the components of the proliferative membranes in the retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), 8 proliferative membranes obtained from 8 eyes with ROP stage 5 during lensectomy, vitrectomy and delamination of membrane were examined under electron mIcroscopy. Among the 8 proliferative membranes of ROP, fibrous astrocytes, myofibroblasts, lymphocytes, macrophages, calcifications were respectively found in 2 cases, vascular tissues in 4 cases and abundant collagen matrix in 7 cases. While in the 2 cases with fibrous astrocytic proliferations the membranes were hypercellular, in the other 6 cases the membranes were hypocellular and mainly composed of collagen matrix.
Astrocytes ; Collagen ; Lymphocytes ; Macrophages ; Membranes* ; Microscopy, Electron ; Myofibroblasts ; Retinopathy of Prematurity* ; Vitrectomy

Fundus perimetry is the device that provides visualization of the fundus and the precise localization of the stimuli on it. With the increasing importance of the direct fundus perimetry for certain focal retinal morphologic abnormalities, the scanning laser ophthalmoscope[SLO]has been utilized as a system to eliminate some of the classic technical problems in fundus perimetry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the normal light sensitivity values for microperimetryusing SLO system. Thirty eyes of thirty normal subjects were examined in 60 degrees image field using stimuli of variable intensity. The maximal retinal distance point which responded to stimulus was recorded, point which responded to stimulus was recorded, and the distance[millimeter]from the fovea was calculated by the Bennett formula. The maximum distance from the fovea at the given stimulus intensity was measured as follows :0.7596 +/-0.5262millimeter at 28decibel, 2.2050 +/-0.5878millimeter at 26decibel, 3.0571 +/-0.7151millimeter at 24decibel, 4.3690 +/-1.0973millimeter at 22decibel, and 5.6557 +/-1.3458millimeter at 20decibel. In conclusion, we were able to establish the normal range of light sensitivity in Microperimery examination. It may serve as the baseline for subsequent study of retinal pathology and functional evaluation as well as its treatment.
Ophthalmoscopes* ; Pathology ; Photophobia ; Reference Values* ; Retinaldehyde ; Visual Field Tests

In the published version of this article, an error in the sponsor's identity was discovered in the acknowledgment section.

Electron microscopic examination of proliferative membranes in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was performed in order to evaluate the components of the membranes. The proliferative membranes were obtained from nine patients with ROP stage 5 during pars plicata lensectomy, vitrectomy, and delamination of membrane. Fibrous astrocytes, myofibroblasts, lymphocytes, macrophages, and calcification were found respectively in two cases, and fibroblast-like cells were found in one case. Varying amounts of collagen tissues were found in eight cases and vascular tissues in four cases. Most of membranes were hypocellular and composed mainly of collagen matrix. It is considered that fibrous astrocytes, myofibroblasts, fibroblasts, and vascular structures are involved in the formation of proliferative membranes of ROP, and that later these cells degenerate and disappear, and that finally only collagen matrix remains in the membranes.
Cataract Extraction ; Child, Preschool ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Microscopy, Electron ; Retina/*ultrastructure ; Retinopathy of Prematurity/*pathology

Acute and chronic immune injury, drug toxicity, and cardiovascular complications remain a critical challenge following kidney transplantation. Success from these hurdles is closely associated with the ability to monitor patients and responsively adjust their medication. Metabolic and biochemical profiling (metabolomics) may enable detection of early changes in cell signal transduction regulation and biochemistry with high sensitivity and specificity. However, metabolomics have not been studied extensively in the field of kidney transplantation. This review describes the basic principles of metabolomics, summarizes recent studies, and suggests future perspectives.
Biochemistry ; Biomarkers ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Metabolomics* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Signal Transduction

No abstract available.
Child* ; Hair* ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of facet joint injection in the conservative management of osteoporotic spinal compression fractures METHOD: Among 27 patients with osteoporotic spinal compression fractures which were confirmed by plain radiography and bone densitometry (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), 9 patients were control group and 18 patients received facet joint injection treatment. Facet joint injection of thoracolumbar spine was done under fluoroscopic guide with 1% lidocaine 1 ml and triamcinolone 10 mg at each joint above and below the level of compression fracture at both side. Main outcome measures were visual analog scale (VAS), spinal movement (modified Schober's and lateral bending test), and physical activity from bed-ridden state (grade I) to outdoor activity without pain (grade V). The treatment outcomes were assessed before injection, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after injection. RESULTS: There were significant decrease in VAS at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after injection in the study group (p<0.05). Physical activity was significantly improved at post injection 2 weeks and 4 weeks (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in spinal movement. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that facet joint injection of thoracolumbar spine is useful method in the conservative management of painful osteoporotic compression fractures.
Densitometry ; Fractures, Compression* ; Humans ; Joints ; Lidocaine ; Motor Activity ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Radiography ; Spine ; Triamcinolone ; Visual Analog Scale ; Zygapophyseal Joint*

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is a key cytokine producing extracellular matrix. We evaluated the effect of TGF-beta1 gene polymorphism at codon 10 on the development of cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B. One hundred seventy eight patients with chronic hepatitis (CH, n=57) or liver cirrhosis (LC, n=121), who had HBsAg and were over 50 yr old, were enrolled. The genotypes were determined by single strand conformation polymorphism. There were no significant differences in age and sex ratio between CH and LC groups. HBeAg positivity and detection rate of HBV DNA were higher in LC than in CH groups (P=0.055 and P=0.003, respectively). There were three types of TGF-beta1 gene polymorphism at codon 10: proline homozygous (P/P), proline/leucine heterozygous (P/L), and leucine homozygous (L/L) genotype. In CH group, the proportions of P/P, P/L, and L/L genotype were 32%, 51%, and 17%, respectively. In LC group, the proportions of those genotypes were 20%, 47%, and 33%, respectively. The L/L genotype was presented more frequently in LC than in CH groups (P=0.017). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirms that detectable HBV DNA (odds ratio [OR]: 3.037, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.504-6.133, P=0.002) and L/L genotype (OR: 3.408, 95% CI: 1.279-9.085, P=0.014) are risk factors for cirrhosis.
Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics ; *Carrier State ; *Codon ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics ; *Hepatitis B, Chronic/genetics/virology ; Humans ; *Liver Cirrhosis/genetics/virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; *Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/*genetics