PURPOSE: To evaluate the protective effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) against UV irradiation of cultured human lens epithelial cells. METHODS: We irradiated cultured human lens epithelial cells with a 30-second pulse from a UV lamp with an irradiance of 0.6 mW/cm2. Five minutes and 1 hour after UV irradiation, we administered 0, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50, or 100 uM EGCG. The cell number was measured with a microscopic counting chamber and cell viability was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. RESULTS: Compared to untreated cells, the total number of cultured human lens epithelial cells was markedly higher after UV irradiation. In a dose-dependent manner, viability was also higher in EGCG-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS: EGCG increased the cell count and cell viability after UV irradiation of cultured human lens epithelial cells, indicating that EGCG can protect lens epithelium against UV damage.
Antioxidants/*pharmacology ; Catechin/*analogs & derivatives/pharmacology ; Cell Count ; Cell Survival/drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Coloring Agents/diagnostic use ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epithelial Cells/radiation effects ; Humans ; Lens, Crystalline/cytology/*radiation effects ; Radiation Injuries/*prevention & control ; Radiation-Protective Agents/*pharmacology ; Tetrazolium Salts/diagnostic use ; Thiazoles/diagnostic use ; *Ultraviolet Rays

This study was to compare the tensile bond strength and flexibility of four different soft liners(Coe Soft, Soft Relining, Soft Liner, Dura Base Soft) before & after thermocycling. Each soft liner was bonded to denture base resin block, and measured the tensile bond strength and modulus of elasticity using Universal testing machine. The mean value of tensile bond strength and modulus of elasticity for each experimental groups were statistically processed by SPSS(Statistical Package of Social Sience). The obtained results were as follows : 1. Dura Base Soft had the highest tensile bond strength and Coe Soft had the lowest tensile bond strength. 2. Coe Soft had the lowest modulus of elasticity, and Dura Base Soft had the highest modulus of elasticity of all the soft liners. 3. Thermocycling \ no effects on the tensile bond strength and modulus of elasticity of all the soft liners. 4. The failure modes of Coe Soft, Soft Relining, Soft Liner were mainly cohesive failure and that of Dura Base Soft were mainly adhesive failure.
Adhesives ; Denture Bases ; Dentures* ; Elastic Modulus* ; Pliability

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Hernia, Obturator*

This is the first case report of myasthenia gravis with cosxisting hyperthyroidism and thymic hyperplasia in Korea. Thirty two year-old man visited in the clinic with exthophalmos, ptosis, dysarthria and dysphagia. Serum anti-acetylcholine receptor and anti-microsomal antibodies was increased significantly. The chest CT showed a large soft tissue mass at the anterior mediastinum. The anti-thyroid drug, glucocorticoid, cholinesterase inhibitor and intravenous immunoglobulin was given as a treatment. After thyroid function is normalized, thymectomy will be done.
Antibodies ; Cholinesterases ; Deglutition Disorders ; Dysarthria ; Hyperthyroidism* ; Immunoglobulins ; Korea ; Mediastinum ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Thymectomy ; Thymus Hyperplasia* ; Thyroid Gland ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

A young male patient diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome was admitted to our hospital via the emergency room with chief complaints of acute chest pain and dyspnea. Pulmonary thromboembolism was diagnosed from his chest CT images. His symptoms improved after he underwent thrombolysis and anticoagulation treatment. Klinefelter syndrome has a tendency towards hypercoagulability due to hormonal imbalance and one or more inherited thromophilic factors. Thus, Klinefelter syndrome patients with a past medical history of venous thromboembolism require continuous oral anticoagulation therapy for a period of at least six months.
Chest Pain ; Dyspnea ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Klinefelter Syndrome ; Male ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Thorax ; Thrombophilia ; Venous Thromboembolism ; Venous Thrombosis

OBJECTIVES: To find work related factors affecting perceived fatigue among male metal product assemblers. METHODS: The study subjects were metal product assemblers from three metal product companies (476 car parts assemblers, 610 car engine assemblers, 454 ship engine assemblers). From the total of 1,540 subjects, 1,136 (73.8%) were included and 38 respondents with insufficient replies were excluded. Associations between fatigue score and other variables (general characteristics, job related factors, workload, job stresses) were investigated in terms of the concept of multidimensional fatigue construct by self administered questionnaire. Using MFS (Multidimensional Fatigue Scale), JCQ (Job Content Questionnaire), and Borg's scale, we estimated the fatigue, job stress, and workload, respectively. Fatigue score was estimated by 'sum of fatigue' in MFS. Associations were tested by linear regression analysis using SAS v.8.0. RESULTS: In this study, the fatigue related factors were older age, longer working hours per week, higher workload, higher job demand, lower decision latitude, and lower supervisor support. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged working hours, higher workload, higher job demand, poor supervisor support and lower decision latitude were fatigue related factors among the male metal product assemblers of this study.
Data Collection ; Fatigue* ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male* ; Questionnaires ; Ships

In 1, 345 patients suspected of having pancreatic or biliary tract disease, 23 patients were shown to have biliary ascariasis demonstrated by endseopic retrograded cholangiopancreatog raphy, at Kwang Ju Christian Hospital from Sep. 1976 to Aug. 1983. Authors report the clinical study and ERCP finding of 23 cases of biliary ascariasis. The result were as follows. 1) Out of 1,345 cases of ERCP, biliary ascariasis were 28 cases, The ascaris were found in CHD & IHD in 21 cases, and 2 casee were found in Ampulla of Vater. 2) There was no specifia age incidence and male to female ratio was 1: 1.9, 3) The disease was more prevalent in spring & summer, and more prevalent in rural area than urban area. 4) The chief eomplaints were RUQ and epigastric abdominal pain. The cases which were admitetted within 2weeks of onset were 16 cases. 5) Ascaris in biliary tract were removed by operation in 14 cases, and EST were performed in 5 cases. Two cases werere moved by DORMIA basket under the endoscopic direct visualization. 6) We report E.S.T. as a new therapeutic method of biliary ascariasis.
Abdominal Pain ; Ampulla of Vater ; Ascariasis* ; Ascaris ; Biliary Tract ; Biliary Tract Diseases ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Diagnosis* ; Female ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male

In the management of advanced maxillary sinus cancer, sometimes it requires an extensive ablation and orbital exenteration that results in large and full defects of the cheek and orbital regions. Reconstruction of large orbital-maxillary defects can be accomplished in one stage by microsurgical free transfer of rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. The muscle component is suitable to fill the orbital and maxillary cavities, and the skin components are used for cheek, palate and lateral nasal cavity wall reconstruction as a three-dimentional folded free flap. Major problems with this flap are the bulkiness, the possibility of abdominal hernia and muscle weakness following the removal of the rectus abdominis muscle. Free deep inferior epigastric artery skin flap without rectus abdominis muscle is available in the reconstruction of large orbital-maxillary defect without the problems of the rectus abdominis myocutaneous free flap. We experienced one case of rectus abdominis myocutaneous free flap, and one other case of inferior rectus abdominis free flap for the reconstruction of huge surgical defects due to radical maxillectomy with orbital excenteration. Both of the patients were satisfied and there have been no severe complication associated with these technique.
Cheek ; Epigastric Arteries ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Hernia, Abdominal ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms* ; Maxillary Sinus* ; Muscle Weakness ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Nasal Cavity ; Orbit ; Palate ; Rectus Abdominis* ; Skin

PURPOSE: Diabetic nephropathy is the most serious of complications in diabetes mellitus. Thiazolidinedione (TZD) is thought to ameliorate diabetic nephropathy; however, the mechanism underlying this effect has not been elucidated. We hypothesized that the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) participates in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and that TZD may be beneficial for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy because of the effect it has on VEGF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 23 Otsuka- Long-Evans-Tokushima-Fatty (OLETF) rats and eight control Long-Evans-Tokushima-Otsuka (LETO) rats were divided into the following four groups: LETO group, control OLETF group, pioglitazone treated group (10mg/kg/day), and rosiglitazone treated group (3mg/kg/day). RESULTS: A progressive increase in urinary protein excretion was observed in the diabetic rats. Glomerular VEGF expression in the control OLETF rats was significantly higher than in the control LETO rats. However, there was a significant reduction in both the glomerular VEGF expression and the VEGF mRNA levels after treatment with pioglitazone and rosiglitazone. The twenty-four hour urine protein levels were significantly decreased in both groups of the treated OLETF rats. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that TZD may have beneficial effects on diabetic nephropathy by reducing the VEGF expression.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics ; Thiazolidinediones/*therapeutic use ; Rats, Long-Evans ; Rats ; Male ; Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Diabetic Nephropathies/*drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*drug therapy ; Animals

A glycogen storage disease(GSD) type I is a metabolic disease caused by a deficiency in one of the components of the glucose-6-phosphatase(G-6-Pase) system. This disorder results in hypoglycemia, hepatomegaly, lactic acidemia, hyperlipidemia, and hyperuricemia. Common long(-)term complications include growth retardation, gout, hepatic adenomas, osteoporosis and renal disease. However the cardiovascular system is rarely involved, and only six cases of pulmonary hypertension associated with GSD I have been reported in the literature. We experienced a case of pulmonary hypertension with type I GSD. A 31-year-old man, who had discovered type I GSD and received portocaval shunt operation 22 years ago, was admitted to the hospital with the chief complaint of dyspnea. Echocardiographic examination and cardiac catheterization revealed severe pulmonary hypertension. Nitric oxide and oral prostacycline derivative(beraprost) were tried without acute favorable response. After one year with beraprost, dyspnea, exercise capacity and hemodynamic parameters were improved. We report this case with a review of the literature.
Adenoma ; Adult ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Cardiovascular System ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Epoprostenol ; Glycogen Storage Disease* ; Glycogen* ; Gout ; Hemodynamics ; Hepatomegaly ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Hyperuricemia ; Hypoglycemia ; Metabolic Diseases ; Nitric Oxide ; Osteoporosis