PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of topically administered 0.05% cyclosporine combined with a topical steroid in the early postoperative period after cataract surgery, and to compare the therapeutic efficacy according to the severity of dry eye. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-six patients who underwent unilateral cataract surgery and received topical cyclosporine 0.05% for 8 weeks combined with a fluorometholone 0.1% steroid for 4-weeks were classified into three groups according to preoperative dry eye level: the control group, non-dry eye (n = 78); group 1, level I dry eye (n = 38); and group 2, level II dry eye (n = 40). The best-corrected distance visual acuity, intraocular pressure, dry eye symptom questionnaire (ocular surface disease index), tear film break-up time (TBUT), and Schirmer test-I (STI) were evaluated. RESULTS: The preoperative score of dry eye symptoms improved significantly at one week postoperatively and continued to improve until postoperative 8-weeks in all groups, especially in group 2 compared with the control. Groups 1 and 2 showed significant improvement in the TBUT at one week, four weeks, and eight weeks postoperatively, compared to eight weeks postoperatively in the control; Group 2, especially, showed significant improvement in TBUT. There was no difference in STI value after cyclosporine-steroid treatment in the control group; however, a significant difference was observed at four weeks postoperatively in dry eyes. No significant differences in STI results were observed among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Use of topical cyclosporine 0.05% combined with a topical fluorometholone 0.1% steroid after cataract surgery is more effective in dry eyes level II than in non-dry eyes, especially those with TBUT and dry eye symptoms at eight weeks postoperatively.
Cataract ; Cyclosporine ; Dry Eye Syndromes ; Fluorometholone ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Postoperative Period ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; Tears ; Visual Acuity

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of demographic variables on Digit Span test (DS) performance in an educationally diverse elderly population and to provide normative information. METHODS: The DS was administered to 784 community-dwelling volunteers aged 60-90 years with an educational history of from zero to 25 years of full-time education. People with serious neurological, medical and psychiatric disorders (including dementia) were excluded. RESULTS: Age, education and gender were found to be significantly associated with performance on the DS. Based on the results obtained, DS norms were stratified by age (2 strata), education (3 strata), and gender (2 strata). CONCLUSION: Our results on DS performance suggest that both attention and working memory are influenced by age, education and gender. The present study provides reasonably comprehensive normative information on the DS for an educationally diverse elderly population.
Age Factors ; Aged* ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Education* ; Humans ; Memory, Short-Term ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Volunteers

Bacillus (B.) anthracis, the etiological agent of anthrax, is one of the most genetically monomorphic bacteria species in the world. Due to the very limited genetic diversity of this species, classification of isolates of this bacterium requires methods with high discriminatory power. Single nucleotide repeat (SNR) analysis is a type of variable-number tandem repeat assay that evaluates regions with very high mutation rates. To subtype a collection of 21 isolates that were obtained during a B. anthracis outbreak in Korea, we analyzed four SNR marker loci using nucleotide sequencing analysis. These isolates were obtained from soil samples and the Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The SNR analysis was able to detect 13 subgenotypes, which allowed a detailed evaluation of the Korean isolates. Our study demonstrated that the SNR analysis was able to discriminate between strains with the same multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis genotypes. In summary, we obtained SNR results for four SNR marker loci of newly acquired strains from Korea. Our findings will be helpful for creating marker systems and help identify markers that could be used for future forensic studies.
Bacillus anthracis/*classification/*genetics/isolation & purification ; *Genetic Variation ; *Minisatellite Repeats ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary ; Republic of Korea ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/*methods/veterinary ; *Soil Microbiology

Bacillus (B.) anthracis is the pathogen that causes fatal anthrax. Strain-specific detection of this bacterium using molecular approaches has enhanced our knowledge of microbial population genetics. In the present study, we employed molecular approaches including multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and canonical single-nucleotide polymorphism (canSNP) analysis to perform molecular typing of B. anthracis strains isolated in Korea. According to the MLVA, 17 B. anthracis isolates were classified into A3a, A3b, and B1 clusters. The canSNP analyses subdivided the B. anthracis isolates into two of the three previously recognized major lineages (A and B). B. anthracis isolates from Korea were found to belong to four canSNP sub-groups (B.Br.001/2, A.Br.005/006, A.Br.001/002, and A.Br.Ames). The A.Br.001/002 and A.Br.Ames sub-lineages are closely related genotypes frequently found in central Asia and most isolates were. On the other hand, B. anthracis CH isolates were analyzed that belonged to the B.Br.001/002 sub-group which found in southern Africa, Europe and California (USA). B.Br.001/002 genotype is new lineage of B. anthracis in Korea that was not found before. This discovery will be helpful for the creation of marker systems and might be the result of human activity through the development of agriculture and increased international trade in Korea.
Africa, Southern ; Agriculture ; Anthrax ; Asia ; Bacillus ; Bacillus anthracis ; California ; Europe ; Genetics, Population ; Genotype ; Hand ; Human Activities ; Molecular Typing ; Tandem Repeat Sequences

Oncocytoma is a neoplasm consisting of oncocytes that is found in the salivary gland, kidney, and thyroid. Adrenocortical oncocytoma is particularly uncommon, and most cases reported are benign and nonfunctioning. Here, we report a 20 cm adrenal mass associated with necrosis that was identified as an oncocytic adrenocortical tumor with uncertain malignant potential through histopathological evaluation after its resection.
Adenoma, Oxyphilic ; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; Kidney ; Necrosis ; Oxyphil Cells ; Salivary Glands ; Thyroid Gland ; Uncertainty

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome has been described as focal perihepatitis accompanying pelvic inflammatory disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhea and Chlamydia trachomatis. The highest incidence occurs in young, sexually active females. However, the syndrome has been reported to occur infrequently in males, according to the foreign literature. The predominant symptoms are right upper quadrant pain and tenderness, and pleuritic right sided chest pain. The clinical presentation is similar in men and women. In women, the spread of infection to liver capsule is thought to occur directly from infected fallopian tube via the right paracolic gutter. In men, hematogenous and lymphatic spread is thought to be postulated. Recently, we experienced a case of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome occurred in a man. As far as we know, it is the first report in Korea, and we report a case with a review of the literature.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Mycoplasma Infections/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; *Mycoplasma genitalium ; Ofloxacin/therapeutic use ; Pelvic Infection/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To report our early experience of hip arthroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty one patients (45 hips) who underwent hip arthroscopy from November 2007 to February 2009 were enrolled in the study. The population was divided into 3 groups in sequence. The operation time, fluoroscopic time, traction time, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in operation time and traction time between the three groups. The fluoroscopic time decreased from 41 minutes in group I to 11 minutes in group III (p<0.01). There were four cases of nerve palsy; 2 pudendal nerve palsy in group I, 1 pudendal nerve palsy in group II, and 1 peroneal nerve palsy in Group III. All cases recovered completely within few days after surgery. Iatrogenic labral injury occurred in 4, 3 and 0 hips in group I, II and III, respectively. Iatrogenic cartilage damage to the femoral head occurred in 2, 3 and 1 hip in group I, II and III, respectively, which did not affect the outcomes. CONCLUSION: Definite improvement in the hip arthroscopy technique was observed in the fluoroscopic time. No serious complications, such as death or permanent nerve palsy, were encountered.
Arthroscopy ; Cartilage ; Head ; Hip ; Hip Joint ; Humans ; Paralysis ; Peroneal Nerve ; Pudendal Nerve ; Traction

Adenocarcinoma of the appendix is a rare neoplasm. Metastatic adenocarcinoma of the appendix from stomach adenocarcinoma is also a very rare finding. A 72-year-old man complained of right lower quadrant abdominal pain for 10 days, and he was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Appendectomy was performed by a general surgeon. Adenocarcinoma was found on the postoperative biopsy. Subsequently, gastric adenocarcinoma was diagnosed on the gastroscopy with biopsy, and this was proven to be the original site of the appendiceal adenocarcinoma.
Abdominal Pain ; Adenocarcinoma* ; Aged ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis ; Appendix* ; Biopsy ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Stomach*

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and histopathological factors of perirenal fat invasion (pT3a) in cT1a renal cell carcinomas. The implication for postoperative perirenal fat invasion, as a prognostic factor in patients with tumors less than 4cm tumor in size is also discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 503 patients who underwent an operation for a renal cell carcinoma at our institution, between June 1995 and April 2004, we retrospectively reviewed the records of 176 with T1a renal cell carcinomas. We evaluated the pathological grade, cell type, tumor size, location and incidence of perirenal fat invasion using the Fisher's exact test. The overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test, and the prognostic factors influencing the survival were estimated using the Cox proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS: In this study, a radical nephrectomy was performed in 128 men and 48 women, with a mean age of 54.6 years, ranging from 23 to 77. The mean follow-up was 31.3 months, ranging from 6 to 106 months. The average size of the renal cell carcinomas was 3.0cm, ranging from 1 to 4cm. The incidence of perirenal fat invasion in the T1a renal cell carcinomas was 5.7% (n=10). The nuclear grade (p<0.001) was a statistically significant factor in the incidence of postoperative perirenal fat invasion. CONCLUSIONS: In the patients with a renal cell carcinoma less than 4cm in size (cT1a), those in the postoperative perirenal fat invasion group had a significantly poorer prognosis. The tumor size and Fuhrman nuclear grade were implicated in the incidence of perirenal fat invasion in the T1a renal cell carcinomas. Therefore, in the case of nephron sparing surgery, more precise preoperative staging of the primary tumor is required.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Neoplasm Staging ; Nephrectomy ; Nephrons ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Few studies have examined acute prostatitis in Korea. To initiate the investigation of this topic, a multi-center retrospective analysis of acute prostatitis was conducted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical records of 335 patients from 13 hospitals, diagnosed with acute prostatitis, between January of 1994 and October of 2004, were reviewed. For each patient, the urine culture, changes in the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) value and the prostate volume, the incidence of prostate abscess, the use of antibiotics, and whether the disease went into remission or progressed to chronic prostatitis were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients, time from the onset of symptom to admission and number of days of admitted were 54.9+/-15.1 (16-85) years, 2.4+/-3.4 (16-85) days and 7.5+/-3.9 (1-25) days, respectively. The chief symptoms of the patients were high fever, dysuria and urinary frequency. Routine urinalysis found pyuria in 82% and hematuria in 70% of patients. The causative organisms of 43.0% of the patients were cultured, with the chief organisms found to be E. coli (67%) and P. aeruginosa (13%), et al. The mean PSA and prostate volume on initial diagnosis were 24.6+/-30.2ng/ml and 45.8 +/-17.4ml, respectively, and a prostate abscess was found in 4 patients (3.1%). The antibiotics injected during patient admission were: cephalosporin family (68%), aminoglycosides (70%) and quinolone family (43%). An additional alpha blocker was used in 49% of cases. Oral quinolone (91%), cephalosporin (9%) and alpha blocker (44%) were prescribed for a mean 32.5 (2-180) days after discharge. 259 (77%) of the patients were available for follow-up. Of these, 21% took antibiotics over an 8 week treatment period, and 8% over a 12 week period. The disappearance of pyuria after treatment was observed in a mean of 13 days after the end of treatment. After 13 weeks of treatment, 11 (50%) of the 22 patients who received prostate massage (4.2% of all follow up patients) were found to have chronic prostatitis. The mean PSA and prostate volume declined during follow up, to 6.13+/-10.38ng/ml and 37.5+/-13.5ml, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the most common chief symptom of acute prostatitis was a high fever, with the most common causative organism being E. coli. Patients were admitted for approximately one week, and treated with antibiotic for about one month, after which time PSA elevation was observed in 80% of patients. Although all acute prostatitis patients were treated with proper antibiotics, progression to chronic prostatitis was observed in 4.2% of patients.
Abscess ; Aminoglycosides ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Diagnosis ; Dysuria ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Massage ; Patient Admission ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatitis* ; Pyuria ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinalysis