Antiestrogen tamoxifen (TMX) is thought to elicit its therapeutic effect by competing with endogenous estrogens for the estrogen receptor. Several more recent studies asserted that the antitumor effect of TMX is not due solely to the inhibition of estrogen receptor-mediated action, but due partly to its capacity to inhibit angiogenesis and impair neovascularization. Despite extensive research and clinical experience with this drug, its exact mode of action in inducing tumor regression is still not clear. The present study is aimed toward the investigation of the effects of TMX on dimethylbenzanthracene- induced rat mammary carcinomas with respect to the tumor response to the drugs, histological changes, cell proliferative acitivity and angiogenesis inhibition, and if TMX has antiangiogenic action, to compare it with that of pentosan polysulfate (PPS), an already known antiangiogenic substance. Female Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 50 days, were divided into normal control, test control (tumor induction by dimethylbenzanthracene), TMX (TMX administration after tumor induction), and PPS (PPS administration after tumor induction) groups. Tumor response to the drug administration was classified according to changes of tumor volume as follows; complete response (CR), partial response (PR), no response (NR), and progressive disease (PD). The response rate of rat mammary carcinomas to the drug administration was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the TMX and PPS groups as compared with the test control group. There was, however, no statistical significance between the TMX and PPS groups. Necrosis was considerably frequent in tumors of the TMX and PPS groups. Hyaline change of the stroma was strikingly more common and marked in the TMX group and it was associated with atrophy of epithelial cells of the tumor glands. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)- labeling index of the tumors was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the tumors with NR and PD of the TMX group when compared with those with PR of the same group, which suggested a higher cell proliferative activity in these response groups. In the PPS group, however, there was no significant difference in PCNA index according to response. Microvessel density of the tumors was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the PPS group as compared with the test control and TMX groups and it was not related with response. The TMX group, however, did not show any significant difference in microvessel density when compared with the test control group. Microvessel density was significantly higher (p<0.05) in tumors with PD than those with PR in all 3 groups, which suggested a positive relation of increase in tumor size and angiogenesis. Based on these results it is thought that TMX and PPS inhibit growth of chemically-induced rat mammary carcinomas. It seems that the antitumor action of PPS is related with its antiangiogenic capability, but that of TMX does not have a relationship with angiogenenesis inhibition.
Female ; Humans ; Rats ; Animals ; Breast Neoplasms

No abstract available.
Breast* ; Polyarteritis Nodosa*

We investigated the effect of 2% dorzolamide and 0.12% UF-021 on intraocular pressure and peripapillary and optic nerve head microcirclation with Heidelberg Retina Flowmeter. The 40 eyes of 40 normal subjects were divided 2 groups. 2% Borzolamide and 0.12% UF-021 were instilled in each group. The IOP and microcirculation of peripillary retina and optic nerve head were measured before and 90min, 4, 8, 12, 24 hours after instillation. The IOP was decreased at 90 minutes, 4, 8 hours after instillation of 2% dorzolamide and maximal reduction of IOP was observed at 90 minutes (P<0.05). The IOP was decreased at 90min, 4, 8, 12 hours after instillation of 0.12% UF-021 and maximal reduction of IOP was observed at 4 hours(P<0.05). But, there was no statistically significant changes of microciculation in both groups(P>0.05). We suggest that 2% dorzolamide and 0.12% UF-021 reduce the IOP, but do not alter the mictocirculation of peripapillary retina and optic nerve head.
Flowmeters ; Intraocular Pressure* ; Microcirculation ; Optic Disk* ; Optic Nerve* ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde*

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of photo-astigmatic refractive keratectomy(PARK) with Schwind excimer laser for one year. We performed PARK procedures on 28 eyes with compound myopic astigmatism. Twenty eight eyes were divided into two groups according to their astigmatism: low(up to -1.5D, 15 eyes), high(over -1.5, 13 eyes). Mean preoperative astigmatism was 1.17+/-0.28 in low astigmatism group and 2.67+/-0.90 in high astigmatism group. Mean one year postoperative astigmatism was 0.40+/-0.39 in low astigmatism group and 0.48+/-0.56 in high astigmatism group. Correction rate of astigmatism was 62.3% in low astigmatism group and 79.4% in high astigmatism group. Complications were loss of best corrected visual acuity 2 line or more(2 eyes), temporary increased intraocular pressure(4 eyes), over 0.25mm eccentric ablation(2 eyes). We concluded that the Schwind excimer laser PARK appeared to be a safe and relatively accurate proceudre to correct myopic astigmatism, especially predictability of astigmatism correction was very satisfactory.
Astigmatism ; Lasers, Excimer ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are a heterogenous group of mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. This study was performed to determine the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of GIST. METHODS: We studied 24 cases of GIST collected over a 9 year period. This retrospective review analyzed the clinical presentation, pathologic examination, and long-term follow-up of patients with GIST. The clinicopathological features were evaluated to identify the predictors of survival. RESULTS: The most common clinical presentation was pain or discomfort (37.5%). GISTs were found to be typically present in older individuals and be most common in the stomach (41.7%). All patients underwent surgical resection with curative intent. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 110 months. Recurrence occurred in 11 (45.8%) of 24 patients. According to multivariate analysis, survival was inversely correlated with size (P=0.032) and the number of mitoses (P=0.030). Patients younger than 50 had an independent value for prognostic prediction (P=0.058). CONCLUSION: Tumor size, mitotic index and patient's age can be used as prognostic factors for GIST according to the results of our study. But, better pathological and immunohistochemical methods are still required to improve GIST prognosis.
Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Mitosis ; Mitotic Index ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach

We analyzed the clinical result of trabeculectomy with amniotic membrane transplantation which has antifibrotic and antiinflammatory action in risky glaucoma patients. Subjects were included four eyes of four patients with neovascular glaucoma, one eye of one patient with primary open angle glaucoma and four eyes of three patients with congenital glaucoma. After limbal based scleral flap was made in triangular shape with 5x4 mm sized, amniotic membrane, sized by 6x6 mm with epithelial side up, was placed on the scleral flap and then sutured to medial and lateral portion at 3 mm superior to base of scleral flap base with 10-0 nylon(2 points). The state of bleb, intraocular pressure and complications were observed at postoperative 1st, 3rd, 6th and 9th week. The IOP was reduced from 33.6+/-11.1 mmHg, to 15.5+/-6.5 mmHg at postoperative one week, 17.0+/-8.3 mmHg at three weeks, 16.9+/-8.1 mmHg at six weeks, 17.1+/-6.4 mmHg at nine weeks. 6 eyes(77.7%)had controlled IOP under 21 mmHg without antiglaucomatous agents at last follow up. Avascular blebs were observed throughout postoperative period in all subjects. Postoperative complications were shallow anterior chamber in one eye at 1st week and low intraocular pressue in one eye at 1st, 3rd week, that resolved at six weeks. Trabeculectomy with amniotic membrane transplantation on the scleral flap appeared to be effective as an augment therapy for filtering surgery in risky glaucoma.
Amnion ; Anterior Chamber ; Blister ; Filtering Surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma ; Glaucoma, Neovascular ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Membranes* ; Postoperative Complications ; Postoperative Period ; Trabeculectomy

Sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown cause characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomatous inflammation. Because the lungs and thoracic lymph nodes are almost always involved, most patients report acute or insidious respiratory problems. Although pulmonary manifestations are usually the major clinical concern in sarcoidosis, extrapulmonary involvement is common. We report a case of sarcoidosis of the axillary lymph nodes with no evidence of lung alteration.
Humans ; Inflammation ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes* ; Sarcoidosis*

PURPOSE: We investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of amniotic membrane(AM) ointment in filtering surgery of rabbits. METHODS: After filtering surgery was performed on both eyes of 10 rabbits, the AM ointment was applied over and under the scleral flap on one eye whereas base ointment excluding AM element was applied to the other as a control. The shapes of blebs were observed under slit-lamp biomicroscopy at postoperative 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks, and the tissues were excised for histologic studies. RESULTS: Serial changes of intraocular pressures had no significant difference. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy demonstrated that conjunctival blebs of AM ointment group were more elevated and cystic at 1 and 2 weeks. The heights of conjunctival blebs were significantly higher at 1, 2 and 4 weeks, and the width of scleral tracks was significantly wider at 1 and 2 weeks in AM ointment group. The number of inflammatory cells in the scleral track was significantly less at 3 days and 1 week, the number of fibroblasts in scleral track was significantly less at 2 and 3 weeks in AM ointment group. Masson s trichrome stain was less positive in AM ointment and the stain area of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive fibroblasts was insignificant with image analysis system. Collagen type 3 appeared in scleral track from postoperative 1 week in control group, however, in AM ointment group, from 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: AM ointment is beneficial to suppress fibroblast differentiation, proliferation and inflam-matory reaction in filtering surgery and might be safe and effective adjunctive for enhancement of success in filtering surgery.
Amnion* ; Blister ; Collagen ; Fibroblasts ; Filtering Surgery* ; Humans* ; Intraocular Pressure ; Rabbits*

PURPOSE: Surgery for thyroid disease requires a skin incision that can result in postsurgical problems such as prominent scars, adhesions, hypesthesia, and paresthesia in the neck. To overcome these problems, we performed a gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via an axillary approach. METHODS: Between May 2004 and April 2005, 30 female patients underwent gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via an axillary approach. Surgical outcomes were evaluated in terms of operating time, length of hospital stay, and the incidence of perioperative complications. Patient opinion was assessed using a verbal response scale at two and four months after surgery. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 126.8±32.4 minutes, and the mean length of hospital stay was 4.3±1.1 days. No cases required conversion to open surgery and none involved significant intraoperative complications. Three patients (10.0%) complained slight hypesthesia or paresthesia in the anterior chest wall, and only 2 patients (6.7%) complained the discomfort while they were swallowing for 4 months after surgery. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic results. CONCLUSION: Gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via an axillary approach is feasible and safe and provides excellent cosmetic results with a minimal degree of postoperative complaints. This procedure provides another surgical option for the treatment of benign thyroid disease in selected patients.
Cicatrix ; Conversion to Open Surgery ; Deglutition ; Female ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Incidence ; Intraoperative Complications ; Length of Stay ; Neck ; Paresthesia ; Skin ; Thoracic Wall ; Thyroid Diseases ; Thyroidectomy*

No abstract available.
Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule*