Severe irradiation on head may result functional alterations of central nervous system. In this study, the irradiation effect on the cerebellar cortex following heavy X-irradiation on head was studied ultrastructurally. Radiation was produced with the linear accelerator ML-4MV[Mitshubishi Co.], and rats weighing about 200gm each were exposed their heads within the radiation areas of 30cm x 30cm, under the radiation distance of 80cm, and with the radiation depth of 1.2 cm. Radiation doses were 3,000rads or 6,000rads, respectively. Animals were sacrificed on 6 hours, 2 days or 6 days following the radiation. Under anesthesia, animals were perfused with 1% glutaraldehyde-1% paraformaldehyde solution. Two hours after the perfusion, brain were taken out and refixed over night in the perfusion fixative. Small blocks of cerebellar hemispheric cortices were refixed 2 hours in 2% osmium tetroxide solution. Fixed tissues were dehydrated in alcohol, embedded in araldite mixture, and cut with ultratome. Ultrathin sections were contrasted with uranyl acetate and lead citrate solutions, and observed with electron microscope. The results obstained were as follow : 1. On 6th hour following X-irradiations, many cerebellar cortical neurons showed increased electron densities, more complicated nuclear infoldings, depletion of synaptic vesicles, expansion of astroglial territories, etc. 2. On 2nd day following X-irradiations, many organelle-rich cells such as Purkinje cells and Golgi cells were darkly degenerated. Numerous myelin figures formed by the cisternal fusions of Golgi apparatus or granular endoplasmic reticula were observed. Cytoplasmic processes of activated astroglial cells were expanded around capillaries and between granule cells. 3. On 6th day following X-irradiations, morphology of neuropil and neurones in the cerebellar cortex was generally restored, except the expanded territories of astroglial cells. From the above results, it was concluded that the release ofneurotransmitters and transcapillary leakage of blood substance were occurred on 6 hours after heavy X-irradiations. And severe alterations were produced on 2 day after X-irradiation, but the condition was generally restored on 6th day following X-irradiation.
Anesthesia ; Animals ; Brain ; Capillaries ; Central Nervous System ; Cerebellar Cortex* ; Citric Acid ; Cytoplasm ; Golgi Apparatus ; Head ; Myelin Sheath ; Neurons ; Neuropil ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Particle Accelerators ; Perfusion ; Purkinje Cells ; Radiation Effects* ; Rats* ; Synaptic Vesicles

Thirteen patients were operated for cubital tunnel syndrome and followed for an average of 26 months postoperatively. Ten patients had a history of relevant trauma and three patients had degenerative osteoarthritis of the elbow. The average duration of symptoms was 18 months (range, 2 to 96 months). Diagnosis was made by physical examination, electromyography and nerve conduction study. Among these, nerve conduction study was found to be the most valuable diagnostic method for the patients with atypical clinical findings. Most of the operations were performed by anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. At the most recent follow-up, the result was excellent in two patients, good in eight, and fair in three; thus ten patients(77%) showed satisfactory results. The rating system for ulnar neuropathy based on sensory, motor dysfunction and pain was useful for evaluating the operative results. The postoperative gain of score for pain and sensory function were larger than that of motor function. Factors known to influence the result of the operation (age, duration of symptom, history of trauma, method of operation) did not effect the outcome in this study. For successful operation, the ulnar nerve must be thoroughly examined, all possible levels of compression must be released and new foci of compression must be created.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ; Diagnosis ; Elbow ; Electromyography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Methods ; Neural Conduction ; Osteoarthritis ; Physical Examination ; Sensation ; Ulnar Nerve ; Ulnar Neuropathies

This experiment was performed to study the morphological responses of the thymic cortex of the mice after administration of BCG. Healthy adult mice weighing 25gm each were divided into normal and experimental groups. BCG[0.03X108-0.32X108 CFU] were injected subcutaneously to the animals every other day, and animals were sacrificed at 4 days, 1 week, 2 weeks and 8 weeks following the first injection. Thymus were removed immediately after sacrifice and transferred to cold phosphate buffered 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde solution[pH 7.3], and cut into small pieces. Tissue samples were fixed for 2-3 hours in the same fixative, postfixed with phosphate buffered 1% osmium tetroxide solution[pH 7.3], dehydrated in a graded series of alcohol, and embedded in araldite mixture. Ultrathin sections stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate were observed with a JEM 100CX-II electron microscope. The observed results were as follow : 1. In the early BCG treated groups, a few eosinophile leucocytes were observed, but more eosinophils were observed in later groups. Some elongated and bar-shaped lysosomes with eletron lucent gap were often obserced in the macrophages. 2. Cortical population of thymocytes in the thymus were reduced, whereas territoris of the epithelial reticular cells were expanded especially in 2 weeks and 8 weeks groups. Some portion of the thymic cortex exhibited large intercellular spaces, and a few nuclear bodies filled with materials of medium density were observed in the epithelial reticular cells. 3. In the 8 weeks groups, macrophages, plasma cells and eosinopile leucocytes and developing eosinophile leucocytes were often observed in the thymic cortex. Distended cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticula and newly forming prosecretory granulses in the Golgi complex were ovserved in som plasma cells. From the above results, it was suggested that repeated treatment with BCG could induce disturb the maturation and differentiation of the T lymphocytes. In turn, BCG, if repeatedly injected, may disturb the immunological medchanism.
Adult ; Animals ; Citric Acid ; Eosinophils ; Extracellular Space ; Golgi Apparatus ; Humans ; Lysosomes ; Macrophages ; Mice* ; Mycobacterium bovis* ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Plasma Cells ; T-Lymphocytes ; Thymocytes ; Thymus Gland

Recently anterior spinal device in the treatment of the unstable thoraco-lumbar spine has been used. We have experienced 11 patients of the unstable thoraco-lumbar spine, which were composed of 8 patients with burst fracture and 3 patients with tuberculous spondylitis. The 11 patients with neurological deficit were treated with an one stage anterior operation consisting of anterior decompression through vertebrectomy, realignment with Kanedae device. No patient showed neurologic deterioration after surgery. The anterior spinal instrumentation with Kaneda device afford enough stability to enable early ambulation with good alignment and solid fusion.
Decompression ; Early Ambulation ; Humans ; Spine ; Spondylitis

No abstract available.
Paragonimiasis*

PURPOSE: To observe direct effect of irradiation on cariogenic Streptooccus mutans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: S. mutans GS5 was exposed to irradiation with a single absorbed dose of 10, 20, 30, and 40 Gy. Viability and changes in antibiotic sensitivity, morphology, transcription of virulence factors, and protein profile of bacterium after irradiation were examined by pour plate, disc diffusion method, transmission electron microscopy, RT-PCR, and SDS-PAGE, respectively. RESULTS: After irradiation with 10 and 20 Gy, viability of S. mutans was reduced. Further increase in irradiation dose, however, did not affect the viability of the remaining cells of S. mutans. Irradiated S. mutans was found to have become sensitive to antibiotics. In particular, the bacterium irradiated with 40 Gy increased its susceptibility to cefotaxime, penicillin, and tetracycline. Under the transmission electron microscope, number of morphologically abnormal cells was increased as the irradiation dose was increased. S. mutans irradiated with 10 Gy revealed a change in the cell wall and cell membrane. As irradiation dose was increased, a higher number of cells showed thickened cell wall and cell membrane and lysis, and appearance of ghost cells was noticeable. In RT-PCR, no difference was detected in expression of gtfB and spaP between cells with and without irradiation of 40 Gy. In SDSPAGE, proteins with higher molecular masses were gradually diminished as irradiation dose was increased. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that irradiation affects the cell integrity of S. mutans, as observed by SDSPAGE, and as manifested by the change in cell morphology, antibiotic sensitivity, and eventually viability of the bacterium.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cefotaxime ; Cell Membrane ; Cell Wall ; Dental Caries ; Diffusion ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Penicillins ; Radiotherapy ; Streptococcus mutans* ; Streptococcus* ; Tetracycline ; Virulence Factors ; Xerostomia

PURPOSE: To evaluate results at three months postoperatively on patient satisfaction and preoperative clinical factors affecting patient satisfaction after implantation of an AcrySof ReSTOR intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: Thirty-three eyes of 33 patients who underwent implantation of spheric/aspheric AcrySof ReSTOR IOL at the Samsung Medical Center of Korea were enrolled in the present study. The uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA), best corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA), and refractive error were recorded preoperatively and three months after surgery. A questionnaire to assess patient satisfaction was created (score range: 1-5, 5 being the maximum score). Patient age, preoperative UCDVA, BCDVA, corneal astigmatism, and asphericity of IOL were selected as preoperative factors influencing patient satisfaction. RESULTS: One hundred percent and 93.9% of the patients achieved UCDVA and BCDVA of 20/25 or better, respectively. The overall patient satisfaction score was 3.9+/-1.0/4.5+/-0.7 (p=0.073) and the score of intent to recommend ReSTOR IOL to others was 3.7+/-1.0/4.5+/-0.6 (p=0.013) with the spheric/aspheric IOL, respectively. The age of patients was negatively correlated with the score of overall satisfaction and the intent to recommend the procedure to others (p=0.024, 0.031). The overall patient satisfaction and intent to recommend of the patients who were less than 55 years old were significantly higher than those of the older patients (p=0.032, 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: High UCDVA and BCDVA resulted from the implantation of ReSTOR IOL. The younger the patients were, the higher the resulting patient satisfaction. Implantation of ReSTOR IOL in young patients is recommended.
Astigmatism ; Eye ; Humans ; Korea ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Patient Satisfaction ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Refractive Errors ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To investigate the general clinical features of congenital cataracts and to determine their relationship to visual prognosis and surgical complications according to age at operation and surgical procedure adopted. METHOD: We retrospectively evaluated 92 eyes in 61 patients with congenital cataracts who underwent cataract surgery between January 1996 and December 2006. The demographic data, surgical technique, post-operative complications, and final visual prognosis were evaluated. RESULTS: The average age at surgery was 3.17 years (range 1 month to 11 years), and the mean follow-up was 40.02 months (range 6 to 46 months). Of the 56 eyes that could be checked for visual acuity after cataract extraction, 29 (51.7%) had a BCVA of > or =0.5 at last visit. Unilateral congenital cataracts (p=0.025) and congenital cataracts with strabismus (p=0.019) showed significantly poorer visual outcomes. Patients with nystagmus also experienced a poor visual outcome; 6 patients (67%) had a BCVA of <0.1. Posterior cataracts had the worst visual prognosis (p=0.004). No statistically significant differences in posterior capsular opacity (p=0.901) or synechia formation (p=0.449) were observed between surgical techniques, but children younger than one year showed a higher tendency for PCO and synechia formation. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior vitrectomy did not reduce postoperative complications. Higher rates of complications (PCO, posterior synechia) developed in children younger than one year of age.
Capsulorhexis/methods ; Cataract/classification/*congenital ; Cataract Extraction/*methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; *Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; Male ; Nystagmus, Pathologic/complications ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Strabismus/complications ; Vision Disorders/rehabilitation ; Visual Acuity/physiology ; Vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To compare the therapeutic outcomes after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in patients with keratoconus. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 57 patients diagnosed with keratoconus who had undergone DALK (19 eyes of 19 patients) and PKP (38 eyes of 38 patients) in Samsung medical center between January 1995 and January 2006. RESULTS: The 19 and 38 patients with keratoconus who underwent DALK and PKP had mean ages of 25.3 (range: 17-46) and 26.2 (range: 12-51) years, respectively. These groups were followed up for mean times of 16.7 (range: 6-34) and 45.7 (range: 6-115) months after surgery, respectively. The DALK group showed significantly higher values of refractive power, central corneal thickness, and endothelial cell density, while two eyes (10.5%) in the DALK group developed stromal rejection, which resolved after steroid therapy. In the PKP group, eight eyes (21%) developed endothelial rejection, among whom one eye (2.6%) resulted in a graft failure of a patient who underwent re-PKP, and two eyes (5.3%) in the PKP group developed secondary glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: DALK should be considered as the primary surgical technique in keratoconus, because the visual outcome is comparable with PKP and it reduces severe complications such as secondary glaucoma and the risk of graft failure by preserving the corneal endothelium compared to PKP.
Corneal Transplantation ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium, Corneal ; Eye ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Keratoconus ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating ; Rejection (Psychology) ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplants

PURPOSE: To determine predictable factors of postoperative pain and cut-off values following LASEK eye surgery. METHODS: Thirty-three eyes of 17 patients who underwent LASEK from May to December 2008 were reviewed. For evaluation of predictive factors, patients' anxiety level was converted to APAIS, HADS, STAI, and VAS preoperatively. Substance P and prostaglandin E2 levels in tears, blood pressure, heart rate, and history of any previous surgery were determined before the procedure. Thirty minutes and 1 day after LASEK, the subjective degree of pain was scored. RESULTS: Patients with high Amsterdam preoperative anxiety scale (APAIS) and Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores showed more postoperative pain (p=0.04, p<0.001). Higher substance P and prostaglandin E2 levels were significantly related with more severe pain after LASEK (p<0.001, p<0.001). Postoperative pain increased significantly, according to cut-off values (p<0.05), APAIS and VAS scores greater than 6, substance P greater than 631.84 pg/ml, and prostaglandin E2 greater than 783.90 pg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: The level of pain after LASEK surgery varies individually, and many factors, including physical and psychological variances, can affect the pain. With higher APAIS/VAS scores and higher concentrations of substance P, prostaglandin E2 portends more severe pain following LASEK.
Anxiety ; Blood Pressure ; Dapsone ; Dinoprostone ; Eye ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted ; Pain, Postoperative ; Substance P