Alport syndrome is a hereditary, progressive disease characterized by progressive nephritis, sensorineural deafness, and ocular abnormalities, including anterior lenticonus. The ultrastructure of the lens capsule abnormalities in Alport syndrome is reported. Four anterior lens capsules from 31-year-old patient and 26-year-old patient with lenticonus who were affected by the Alport syndrome were obtained at capsulectomy. And all four anterior lens capsules were examined by transmission electron microscopy. The histopathologic findings showed that the thickness of the anterior lens capsules was decreased (4~13 micrometer) and that there were many vascular dehiscences localized at the inner part of the lens capsule. There were large numbers of capsular dehiscences containing fibrillar materials and vacuoles. The anterior capsules were clearly fragile in this disease, forming the basis for the progressive lenticonus and anterior polar cataract.
Adult ; Epithelial Cells/ultrastructure ; Humans ; Lens Capsule, Crystalline/*ultrastructure ; Lens Diseases/genetics/*pathology ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; Male ; Nephritis, Hereditary/genetics/*pathology ; Phacoemulsification

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to reevaluate the prognostic factors by investigating the clinical and biological parameters concerned malignant gestational trophoblastic tumor in patients with hydatidiform mole. METHODS: From March 1995 to February 2000, 41 patients admitted to department of the Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine who were diagnosed with pathologically-proven gestational trophoblastic disease were selected. Parameters such as age, gravida, parity, presence of theca lutein cyst, ratio of uterine size to gestational age, hCG level, DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction were compared between malignant gestational trophoblastic tumor group and spontaneous remission group. RESULTS: Considering the clinical prognostic factors, the patients were divided into two age groups; the first group consisted of those older than 40 years of age and the second control group consisted of those under 40. The number of patients older than 40 in the spontaneous remission group and malignant gestational trophoblastic tumor group were 4(15.4%) and 7(46.7%), respectively, showing a significantly higher number in the group over 40years. Other parameters such as gravida, parity, presence of theca lutein cyst, ratio of uterine size to gestational age, hCG level, DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The progression rate from hydatidiform mole to malignant gestational trophoblastic tumor was significantly higher in patients over 40 years of age. Therefore, more aggressive therapeutic approach should be considered in such patients.
DNA ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Gestational Trophoblastic Disease ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole* ; Lutein ; Obstetrics ; Parity ; Ploidies ; Pregnancy ; Remission, Spontaneous ; Trophoblastic Neoplasms* ; Trophoblasts*

PURPOSE: To measure normal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) in the peripapillary region of Koreans using a scanning laser polarimeter, the nerve fiber analyzer (GDx VCC). METHODS: Two hundred ninety-nine eyes of 299 healthy subjects (156 men, 143 women) were recruited for this study. No subject had diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or any other neurologic disorders. All subjects were normal at ophthalmologic examination, which was assessed by slit-lamp biomicroscopy using a 90-diopter lens, Goldmann applanation tonometry, and Humphrey visual field analysis. Using the GDx VCC, we analyzed the mean value of each parameter in GDx VCC (average at global, superior, inferior, superior maximum and inferior maximum) and evaluated the difference between men and women and each decade of age. RESULTS: Mean RNFLT parameters in GDx VCC were global 56.42 +/- 6.84 micrometer, superior 70.51 +/- 8.70 micrometer, inferior 67.55 +/- 9.04 micrometer, superior maximum 83.52 +/- 12.38 micrometer, and inferior maximum 82.64 +/- 12.70 micrometer. The parameters which showed a difference between men and women were superior average and superior and inferior maximum average RNFLT. The superior RNFLT was thicker than the inferior ones. RNFLT was not statistically different in each decade of age. CONCLUSIONS: We can make good use of the normal parameters of GDx VCC in Koreans for early diagnosis and follow-up of glaucoma.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Manometry ; Nerve Fibers* ; Nervous System Diseases ; Retinaldehyde* ; Visual Fields

PURPOSE: To evaluate the reproducibility and accuracy of axial length and anterior chamber depth measurements from IOL Master(R). METHODS: The axial length and anterior chamber depth measurements in 30 eyes with normal crystalline lens, 30 eyes with cataract and 30 pseudophakic eyes were measured by two practitioners using IOL Master(R) followed by A-scan and Orbscan II. The reproducibility of IOL Master(R) was analyzed by comparing the results from the first and second practitioners. To evaluate the accuracy of IOL Master(R), the axial length was compared to A-scan and the anterior chamber depth was compared to A-scan and Orbscan II. RESULTS: The difference between the axial length and anterior chamber depth measurements from the two practitioners using IOL Master(R) were not statistically significant (p>0.05). The axial length of measurement from IOL Master(R) was 0.16 mm, 0.18 mm, and 0.96 mm longer than that from A-scan, in the normal, cataract and pseudophakic groups, respectively. In addition, the anterior chamber depth measurement from IOL Master(R) was significantly deeper than that from A-scan and Orbscan II (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was good reproducibility and accuracy of axial length and anterior chamber depth measurements from IOL Master(R). However, some patients who had media opacity were not measured using IOL Master(R). It is a noncontact method, which provides an alternative to A-scan.
Anterior Chamber ; Biometry* ; Cataract ; Humans ; Lens, Crystalline

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of complex training on injury, flexibility, and muscle stiffness in high school male football players. Methods: A total of 60 football players were included in the study and were divided into three groups viz. the complex training group (CTG), 11+ training group (11 + TG), and traditional training group (TTG). Injuries were recorded based on the prospective investigation method after starting the study, and the flexibility and muscle stiffness of the subjects were evaluated. Results: The research results showed that the injury rate per match was significantly lower in the CTG and 11 + TG than the TTG. In the CTG, the flexibility of the hamstrings significantly increased and the stiffness of the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), and tensor fascia latae (TFL) muscles significantly decreased (p < 0.05). In the 11 + TG, the stiffness of the RF significantly decreased (p < 0.05). In the TTG, the flexibility of the hamstrings significantly increased (p < 0.05). Hamstring flexibility showed a significantly higher increase in the CTG and TTG compared to the 11 + TG (p < 0.05). Also, the stiffness of the RF and TFL muscles showed a significantly higher decrease in the CTG compared to the 11 + TG and TTG (p < 0.05). The stiffness of the BF muscles too showed a more significant decrease in the CTG compared to the TTG (p < 0.05). Conclusion The complex training method of the Fédération International de Football Association (FIFA) 11+ and self-myofascial release (SMFR) as a warm-up program, prevent injuries, enhance flexibility, and lower muscle stiffness of football players in high school. Thus, it is necessary to ensure the widespread use of the complex training program by instructors and players under the supervision of the Korea Football Association (KFA), given its reliability in preventing injuries and improving the performance of football players.

The protein encoded by the Gene Associated with Retinoid-Interferon-Induced Mortality-19 (GRIM-19) is located in the mitochondrial inner membrane and is homologous to the NADH dehydrogenase 1-alpha subcomplex subunit 13 of the electron transport chain.Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease that damages the brain and spinal cord.Although both the cause and mechanism of MS progression remain unclear, it is accepted that an immune disorder is involved. We explored whether GRIM-19 ameliorated MS by increasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines and immune cells; we used a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to this end. Six-to-eight-week-old male C57BL/6, IFNγ-knockout (KO), and GRIM-19 transgenic mice were used; EAE was induced in all strains. A GRIM-19 overexpression vector (GRIM19 OVN) was electrophoretically injected intravenously. The levels of Th1 and Th17 cells were measured via flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analysis. IL-17A and IFNγ expression levels were assessed via ELISA and quantitative PCR. IL-17A expression decreased and IFNγ expression increased in EAE mice that received injections of the GRIM19 OVN. GRIM-19 transgenic mice expressed more IFNγ than did wild-type mice; this inhibited EAE development. However, the effect of GRIM-19 overexpression on the EAE of IFNγ-KO mice did not differ from that of the empty vector. GRIM-19 expression was therapeutic for EAE mice, elevating the IFNγ level. GRIM-19 regulated the Th17/Treg cell balance.