PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) on the survival, nitric oxide (NO) production, and migration of cultured human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. METHODS: After exposure to TA, indomethacin, and dexamethasone for 2 days, the survival and nitrite production of the primarily cultured human TM cells were assessed with MTT and Griess assays respectively. The effect of co-exposure to the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside, was also assessed. A migration assay was done to evaluate the effect of TA on the activity of TM cells. RESULTS: Cellular survival increased after exposure to TA at low concentration but decreased at high concentration. TA decreased the production of NO significantly (p<0.05). Exposure to indomethacin and dexamethasone revealed similar results. TA reversibly inhibited the migration of TM cells. CONCLUSIONS: TA decreases the production of NO and inhibits the migration of TM cells. TA at high concentration decreases cellular survival accompanied with decreased NO production. These effects of TA on TM cells may result in the elevation of intraocular pressure.
Dexamethasone ; Humans ; Indomethacin ; Intraocular Pressure ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitroprusside ; Tissue Donors ; Trabecular Meshwork* ; Triamcinolone Acetonide* ; Triamcinolone*

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid nodule is frequent and occurs in about 5+ACU- of the general population. In contrast, thyroid cancer is much less frequent and occurs in about 5-10+ACU- of thyroid nodules. Distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions is an important task that is best accomplished by fine needle aspiration. Recently, Chiappetta et al. reported that the expression of the high mobility group (HMG) I(Y) proteins correlates with the malignant phenotype of human thyroid neoplasia, and suggested that the detection of the HMG I(Y) proteins might be a valid tool for an easy and sensitive discrimination assay between benign and malignant neoplastic thyroid disease. METHODS: We evaluated the expression of the HMG I(Y) mRNA in 39 frozen thyroid tissues from patients with thyroid nodule by semiquantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: The expression of the HMG I(Y) mRNA was low in all of 10 normal thyroid tissues. In all of 3 adenomatous goiters, 6 follicular adenomas and 2 Hurthle cell adenomas, the HMG I(Y) mRNA expression level was low. In 11 of 13 papillary carcinomas and all of 5 follicular carcinomas, the HMG I(Y) mRNA expression level was high. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that there is a correlation between the expression of HMG I(Y) and the malignant phenotype of thyroid cancer, suggesting that these proteins may be useful as a marker in thyroid cancer.
Biopsy, Needle ; Comparative Study ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; High Mobility Group Proteins/analysis+ACo- ; Human ; Male ; Probability ; RNA, Messenger/analysis+ACo- ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics+ACo- ; Thyroid Neoplasms/diagnosis+ACo- ; Thyroid Nodule/genetics+ACo- ; Thyroid Nodule/diagnosis+ACo- ; Tumor Markers, Biological/analysis+ACo-

To evaluate the typical appearance and the influence in the image interpretation of the metallic artifact which is known as one of the patient-related field artifacts, we analysed the magnetic resonance (MR) images of 40 patients (the total number of metallic materials were 45) acquired at MR 1.5T unit. All patients were screened for the presence of metal. The metallic implants were surgical wires and clips, orthopedic devices, and the other miscellaneous materials. The artifacts produced by metallic objects can be seen on MRI as the focal loss of signal and/or the local distortion of the image. Regardless of their ferromagnetic properties, metallic implants created regional artifacts in their images. Ferromagnetic materials, such as a lead fragment, showed severe artifacts and nonferromagnetic metals showed mild to moderate artifacts. The conspicuity of artifact was related tot he composition, mass, shape, orientation, and the location of the metallic objects in the body. Under high magnetic field strength, there were no significant differences between the various pulse sequences. Artifacts are particularly prominent on gradient-echo images. Our findings indicate that MR imaging of patients with standard nonferromagnetic metallic materials can be successfully performed and usefully interpretated.
Artifacts* ; Humans ; Magnetic Fields ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Magnets ; Metals ; Orthopedics

No abstract available.
Mediastinitis*

No abstract available.
Mediastinitis*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety, stability and effectiveness of the LADARVision active tracking narrow beam excimer laser system using laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for the correction of spherical myopia and astigmatism. METHODS: We reviewed 233 eyes that underwent LASIK (Group A: -6D) and PRK (Group C) from August 2002 to March 2003. We investigated uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), manifest refraction, spherical equivalent, cyclotorsion, and astigmatic change before undergoing refractive surgery. The evaluation was repeated at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: AT one week following surgery, the mean UCVA was 1.39+/-0.30 in Group A, 1.25+/-0.34 in Group B, and 1.06+/-0.25 in Group C. At postoperative 6 months, the mean UCVA was 1.32+/-0.30, 1.09+/-0.16, and 1.32+/-0.24 in Groups A, B, and C, respectively. In all 215 eyes, cyclotorsion was 74.4%: counterclockwise, 48.4% (4.01+/-3.01); and clockwise, 26.0% (-4.42+/-3.18). The astigmatism correction rate was 79.16% in Groups A and B (LASIK groups), and 70.10% in Group C. CONCLUSIONS: The LADARVision 4000 laser yielded excellent results in myopia, with or without astigmatism and showed early refractive stability, good UCVA outcomes, and effective correction of astigmatism at 6 months postoperatively. Further studies are needed to compare custom LASIK and conventional LASIK using LADARVision.
Astigmatism ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ* ; Lasers, Excimer ; Myopia ; Photorefractive Keratectomy* ; Refractive Surgical Procedures ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To report the change of pupil sizes according to age and illuminance in the normal Korean population. METHODS: Normal Koreans outpatients who never had a history of ophthalmic disease were examined. The patients consisted of 320 eyes of 160 patients, which were classified into 8 age decades (teenage to 80's) with 40 eyes in each age group. The vertical and horizontal pupil size and area under 4 different illuminances (3,500, 1,200, 500, 5 lux) were measured using the Colvard pupillometer(R) (OASIS Medical, Glendora, CA, USA). RESULTS: The pupil size was significantly decreased as the age increased under each illuminance. The pupil area measured after dark adaptation was 47.30 mm2 in the teenage group, 43.32 mm2 in the 20's group, 41.94 mm2 in the 30's group, 40.98 mm2 in the 40's group, 40.61 mm2 in the 50's group, 38.60 mm2 in the 60's group, 37.78 mm2 in the 70's group and 35.45 mm2 in the 80's group. The decrease in pupil area was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In the normal Korean population, a significant decrease in pupil size and area was observed with aging. The present study results provide good basic data for cataract and presbyopia refractive surgery.
Aging ; Cataract ; Dark Adaptation ; Eye ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Presbyopia ; Pupil ; Refractive Surgical Procedures

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to perform a comparative analysis of the efficacy and safety of conventional transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P), transurethral resection in saline (TURIS), and TURIS-plasma vaporization (TURIS-V) when performed by a single surgeon for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 73 consecutive men who underwent conventional TUR-P (39), TURIS (19), or TURIS-V (15) for BPH were retrospectively analyzed. All procedures were carried out by a single surgeon between October 2007 and April 2010. The patients were assessed preoperatively and perioperatively and were followed at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Patient baseline characteristics, perioperative data, and postoperative outcomes were compared, and major complications were recorded. RESULTS: In all groups, significant improvements in subjective and objective voiding parameters were achieved and were sustained throughout follow-up. TURIS-V had the shortest operation time compared with conventional TUR-P and TURIS (p=0.211). TURIS-V significantly decreased procedural irrigation fluid volume, postoperative irrigation duration, catheter duration, and hospital stay compared with conventional TUR-P and TURIS. There were no significant differences between the groups in hemoglobin levels or serum sodium levels before and after the operations. There were three transfusions and four clot retentions in the TUR-P group, and one transfusion and one clot retention in the TURIS group. The TURIS-V group had no complications. CONCLUSIONS: TURIS and TURIS-V were effective for the surgical treatment of BPH in addition to conventional TUR-P. TURIS-V was not inferior to conventional TUR-P or TURIS in terms of safety.
Catheters ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Pilot Projects ; Prostate ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Retention (Psychology) ; Retrospective Studies ; Sodium ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Urologic Surgical Procedures ; Volatilization

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is becoming major health problem in old age and menopausal women, and osteoarthritis is most common joint disease in both ages. The inverse relationship between osteoporosis and osteoarthritis was first noticed 20years ago. However the subject had not been studied in korea. Thus, our objectives is to examine the influence of osteoarthritis on bone density measurements. METHODS: The study group consisted of 120 women, aged over 40 years, who visited for health examination in Health Center of Poondang Jesaeng general hospital from October 1998 to April 1999. Bone mineral density(BMD) of the lumar spine was measured, using dual energy X ray absorptiometry(Lunar, Expert XL), and lateal lumbar spine radiograph was taken. Severity of osteoarthritis were scored on osteophytes, disk space narrowing and vertebral body sclerosis. RESULTS: Postmenopausal women had signifcantly lower BMD than premenopausal women(p<0.001). Age(r= 0.545, p<0.001), body mass index(r=0.264, p<0.01) and education(r=0.284, p<0.01) were significantly correlated with BMD, but smoking, exercise, radiogrphic OA variables not correlated. However, stepwise multiple regression analysis using osteoporosis related variables and OA variables is indicated that menopausal status, body mass index, age, osteophytes were significantly associated factor with BMD, and lumbar osteophytes explained 2.7% of variation in lumbar spine BMD. CONCLUSION: We conclude that, among women, lumbar BMD is highier in those with osteophytosis of the lumbar spine. The effect is largely directed by osteophytes being included in the BMD measurement.
Body Mass Index ; Bone Density* ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Joint Diseases ; Korea ; Osteoarthritis* ; Osteophyte ; Osteoporosis ; Sclerosis ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spine*

PURPOSE: We report a case of a scleral perforation during inferior rectus recession in congenital fibrosis of extraocular muscles and the management of this perforation with a scleral patch graft. CASE SUMMARY: A 20-month-old female with bilateral ptosis, absence of elevation and a chin-up position was diagnosed with congenital fibrosis of extraocular muscles. Because severe esotropia in the downward gaze was observed, we first performed esotropia surgery. After 1 year, she underwent a bilateral ptosis correction. We decided to perform bilateral inferior rectus recession due to an abnormal head posture and the absence of elevation. Because the inferior rectus muscles were extremely tight and adhered to the sclera, hooking and isolating these muscles during surgery was difficult. After muscle suture placement, a portion of the sclera that contacted the left inferior rectus was chipped off as this muscle was disinserted with blunt Westcott scissors. A scleral perforation was observed, thus, we placed a scleral patch graft using the donor sclera and finished the bilateral inferior rectus recession. No abnormal findings for the vitreous or retina were detected. At 8 months after surgery, the patient exhibited exotropia of 12 prism diopters in her primary gaze. Her abnormal head posture nearly disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Careful isolation and disinsertion of the muscle from the globe is necessary in the treatment of patients who are expected to exhibit severe adhesions between the muscle and sclera, such as patients with congenital fibrosis of extraocular muscles.
Esotropia ; Exotropia ; Female ; Fibrosis* ; Head ; Humans ; Infant ; Muscles* ; Posture ; Retina ; Sclera ; Sutures ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants