PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term results and complications of orbital wall fracture reconstruction using the bioabsorbable orbital implant, Macropore(R) orbital floor liner. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who underwent the reconstruction of an orbital wall fracture using Macropore(R) orbital floor liner and completed a postoperative follow-up longer than 6 months. The enophthalmic values as well as the data of ocular movement and diplopia was collected from the medical records of each patient and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients were evaluated with an average follow-up period of 14.0 months. The average enophthalmic value of 29 patients, whose reconstruction was primarily indicated from enophthalmic tissue, was 0.90 mm at the last follow-up. No significant progression of enophthalmos was observed at postoperative 12, 18 and 24 months when compared with the enophthalmic value at postoperative 6 months. All 15 patients who have had the limitation of ocular movement or diplopia preoperatively resolved completely or improved to the degree that no clinically significant limitation or diplopia further existed. No complications such as dislocation of implant, infection, and aggravation of ocular limitation were observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Macropore(R) orbital floor liner may be regarded as a useful implant in reconstruction of orbital wall fracture with no significant implant-related complications during its absorption.
Absorption ; Diplopia ; Dislocations ; Enophthalmos ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Orbit ; Orbital Implants ; Retrospective Studies

Korean Society of Clinical Pathologists' Information Network(KSCPIN) began its service as a Closed User Group (CUG) In HiTEL. one of the major information providers in Korea, on March 2nd, 1995. The KSCPIN is the first and the only society which has its own information network among the Regular Member Society of Korean Medical Association. As the name CUG implies. this network is opened only for the members of the society. The main concept of KSCPCIN is to offer various informations and opinion exchange sites only to the society members. For providing various laboratory related informations to every one, we accepted non-society members as KSCPIN members to make KSCPIN as an opened CUG. KSCPIN now offers various bulletins and library not only for the society members, except for some limitations. KSCPIN consists of 115 clinical pathologists, 60 clinical pathology residents, 34 business men, 26 physicians, and 15 others making the total members of 262 at present. With new definition of members and new menu, KSCPIN was self-estimated as a successful CUG, and we recommend the utilization of CUG for all academic societies. In near future, we are going to move the CUG on the internet. which is our finalgoal.
Commerce ; Humans ; Information Services* ; Internet ; Korea ; Male ; Pathology, Clinical ; Running*

BACKGROUND: Hypobetalipoproteinemia (HBL) is characterized by plasma concentration of lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol below the fifth percentile in a healthy population. It has been suggested that HBL may be associated with apolipoprotein E (apoE) and apoB polymorphisms, such as apoB 8344 and apoB EcoRI. METHODS: Patients with HBL (n=51) and age-and- sex-matched healthy controls (n=136) were compared for apoE genotyping, apoB 8344 polymorphism and apoB EcoRI polymorphism. ApoE genotyping and apoB EcoRI polymorphism were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment-length polymorphism. ApoB 8344 polymorphism was determined by the PCR-amplification refractory mutation system. We also Search truncated apoB with ECL western blotting in 23 HBL subjects. RESULTS: We could not find any truncated form of apoB. We found significant elevation of the apoE epsilon2 allele frequency of 0.147 in HBL cases compared with 0.063 in healthy controls (P=0.018). The ApoB 8344 polymorphism showed no significant difference between the HBL and the normal control groups. There were no significant apoB EcoRI allele frequency differences between the HBL and the normal groups. There were no significant apoB EcoRI allele frequency differences between the HBL and the normal groups. CONCLUSIONS: We could not find any relationship between HBL either with apoB 8344 or apoB EcoRI polymorphisms, but apoE epsilon2 allele seemed to be associated with HBL in Koreans.
Alleles ; Apolipoprotein E2 ; Apolipoproteins B ; Apolipoproteins E ; Apolipoproteins* ; Blotting, Western ; Cholesterol ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Hypobetalipoproteinemias ; Lipoproteins ; Plasma ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

Dextran 40, a polysaccharide with molecular weight of 40,000, has been used clinically for expansion of plasma volume, improvement of microcirculation in low flow states and thromboprophylaxis especially in major operation such as vascular and hip surgery. However severe anaphylactoid reaction to dextran 40 can occur rarely. We experienced a case of cardisc arrest due to a severe reaction of dextran 40 in a patient who underwent aortofemoral bypass surgery. The patient was resuscitated immediately and followed up carefully.
Dextrans* ; Heart Arrest ; Hip ; Humans ; Microcirculation ; Molecular Weight ; Plasma Volume

Dextran 40, a polysaccharide with molecular weight of 40,000, has been used clinically for expansion of plasma volume, improvement of microcirculation in low flow states and thromboprophylaxis especially in major operation such as vascular and hip surgery. However severe anaphylactoid reaction to dextran 40 can occur rarely. We experienced a case of cardisc arrest due to a severe reaction of dextran 40 in a patient who underwent aortofemoral bypass surgery. The patient was resuscitated immediately and followed up carefully.
Dextrans* ; Heart Arrest ; Hip ; Humans ; Microcirculation ; Molecular Weight ; Plasma Volume

BACKGROUND: The Technicon Immuno I utilizes various enzymatic kinetic analysis with colorimetric detection and magnetic particles. We evaluated this fully automated random-access immunoassay system which can perform latex agglutination and magnetic-separation sandwich/ competitive immunoassay. METHODS: We evaluated the assay precision, lower limits of detection, linearity, recovery, sample to sample carry-over, analytical interferences and comparison with other various methods for the following analytes: thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), prostate specific antigen (PSA), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), CA 19-9, and digoxin. RESULTS: Satisfactory results were obtained for within-run and between-day precision in most analytes. Lower limits of detection were slightly higher than claimed by the manufacturer. The linearity was acceptable, but there were proportional errors for CEA and FT4. The recovery rates were also good except for PSA. Sample to sample carry-over was not detected. No significant analytical interference was caused by hemoglobin (up to 2,000 mg/L), lipid (up to 85 mmol/L) and bilirubin (up to 325 mol/L) except for digoxin, FT4 and PSA. The Technicon Immuno I assay correlated well with the comparison methods in most analytes, but the proportional biases were found for PSA and LH. CONCLUSIONS: The Technicon Immuno I is a satisfactory system for clinical use in most cases but more study would be requried for FT4. Especially, this system can replace the radioimmunoassay for FSH and LH.
Agglutination ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Bilirubin ; Digoxin ; Immunoassay* ; Latex ; Limit of Detection ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Radioimmunoassay ; Thyrotropin ; Thyroxine

BACKGROUND: Elevated level of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) is one of the major risk factors for the development of coronary heart disease. Direct LDL-C determination method by immunoseparation (DLDL-C) recently developed is claimed not to be influenced by food ingestion. We re-evaluated the effects of diet and storage conditions for this method. METHODS: Samples were collected from thirty-two medical college students before and after meal to study the effects of diet on this method. We compared the difference of LDL-C of filtered samples between refrigerated and frozen state. We also compared direct and indirect calculated measurements of LDL-C with ultracentrifugal beta-quantification (BQLDL-C) method. RESULTS: Morning 2-hour-postprandial specimen can be acceptable with no minimal significant bias, but afternoon 2-hour or 4-hour-postprandial specimen cannot be recommended due to significant negative bias (8.6-9.6%). Storage of filtered samples showed no significant difference between frozen and refrigerated state. Calculated LDL-C when triglyceride level is more than 400 mg/dL was not reliable due to large proportional and constant bias. In contrast, DLDL-C showed good accuracy comparing with BQLDL-C (y=0.909x+3.3, r=0.869, n=9, x=BQLDL-C, y=DLDL-C). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, morning two-hour postprandial specimens can be acceptable for DLDL-C, but afternoon postprandial specimens may not be recommended due to significant negative bias. DLDL-C seems to be reliable and useful especially for hypertriglyceridemic patients or follow-up cases of hypercholesterolemia with normal triglyceride or HDL-C levels.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Coronary Disease ; Diet ; Eating* ; Fasting ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Meals ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides ; Ultracentrifugation

BACKGROUND: Serum high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level is used as an assessment of the risk of coronary heart disease. In this study, we evaluated direct measurement of HDL- cholesterol in serum with polyethylene-modified enzymes and sulfated alpha-cyclodextrin. METHODS: We evaluated the precision, the lower limit of detection, the recovery rate, the linearity, the interference for hemoglobin and the comparision with the result of HDL-cholesterol measured by selective precipitation method. We also studied the specificity of this direct method for very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL). RESULTS: The total imprecision was 3.8% (low), 3.5% (middle), 3.2% (high). The lower limit of detection was 0 mg/L. The recovery rate was satisfactory. The linearity was also (r2=0.99). This method showed a good correlation (r2=0.97) with the selective precipitation method in HDL- cholesterol measurement. VLDL-cholesterol (up to 300 mg/L) increased HDL-cholesterol only less than 3% but increased VLDL-cholesterol to 400 mg/L, more than 750 mg/L caused 5% and 15% of overestimation of HDL-cholesterol, respectively. LDL-cholesterol (142-1,073 mg/L) increased or decreased HDL-cholesterol by some degree (about 15%). Hemoglobin (up to 3,000 mg/L) did not influence this assay. CONCLUSIONS: The direct measurement of HDL-cholesterol is satisfactory method in HDL- cholesterol measurement in good analytical performance and may be anticipated to reduce workload of laboratory because the sample pretreatment is not necessary.
Cholesterol* ; Coronary Disease ; Limit of Detection ; Lipoproteins* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: In this study we compared the surface wettability of ocular prosthesis and depositions depending on different types of artificial tear eye drops. METHODS: The artificial tear eye drops contain sodium hyaluronate (HA) 0.1%, 0.18%, 0.3%, carboxylmethylcellulose sodium (CMC), hydroxymethylcelluose + dextran (HMC), propylene glycol + polyethylene glycol (PG), polysorbate 80 (PS) povidone (Pov) were evaluated. Flat rectangular parallelepiped blocks consisting of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or silicone materials were made. One artificial tear eye drop was applied on the surface of two different blocks of artificial eyes using a 23-gauge needle. Then, the static method contact angle was measured by using a contact angle goniometer. To measure the deposits, a petri dish was covered with 3 mL of artificial tear eye drops and dried for 48 hours at room temperature. Then, the light transmittance at the center of the petri dish was measured to investigate the amount of the residue. RESULTS: The contact angles of HA 0.1%, 0.18%, 0.3%, CMC, HMC, PG, PS and Pov on PMMA were 78.69degrees, 84.29degrees, 75.46degrees, 80.93degrees, 66.29degrees, 71.26degrees, 58.40degrees and 70.24degrees, respectively. The contact angles on silicone were 53.68degrees, 60.87degrees, 64.46degrees, 62.78degrees, 38.89degrees, 63.58degrees, 30.68degrees and 51.41degrees, respectively. The largest decrease in transparency was observed in the artificial tear eye drops containing HMC. CONCLUSIONS: The wettability and deposits on the surface of ocular prosthesis can vary based on the components and concentration of artificial tear eye drops. The results from this study should be considered when choosing the right artificial tear eye drops for improving dry eye symptoms in patients wearing ocular prostheses.
Anophthalmos ; Dextrans ; Dry Eye Syndromes ; Eye, Artificial* ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Needles ; Ophthalmic Solutions* ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Polysorbates ; Povidone ; Propylene Glycol ; Silicones ; Sodium ; Tears* ; Wettability*

PURPOSE: In this study we compared the surface wettability of ocular prosthesis and depositions depending on different types of artificial tear eye drops. METHODS: The artificial tear eye drops contain sodium hyaluronate (HA) 0.1%, 0.18%, 0.3%, carboxylmethylcellulose sodium (CMC), hydroxymethylcelluose + dextran (HMC), propylene glycol + polyethylene glycol (PG), polysorbate 80 (PS) povidone (Pov) were evaluated. Flat rectangular parallelepiped blocks consisting of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or silicone materials were made. One artificial tear eye drop was applied on the surface of two different blocks of artificial eyes using a 23-gauge needle. Then, the static method contact angle was measured by using a contact angle goniometer. To measure the deposits, a petri dish was covered with 3 mL of artificial tear eye drops and dried for 48 hours at room temperature. Then, the light transmittance at the center of the petri dish was measured to investigate the amount of the residue. RESULTS: The contact angles of HA 0.1%, 0.18%, 0.3%, CMC, HMC, PG, PS and Pov on PMMA were 78.69degrees, 84.29degrees, 75.46degrees, 80.93degrees, 66.29degrees, 71.26degrees, 58.40degrees and 70.24degrees, respectively. The contact angles on silicone were 53.68degrees, 60.87degrees, 64.46degrees, 62.78degrees, 38.89degrees, 63.58degrees, 30.68degrees and 51.41degrees, respectively. The largest decrease in transparency was observed in the artificial tear eye drops containing HMC. CONCLUSIONS: The wettability and deposits on the surface of ocular prosthesis can vary based on the components and concentration of artificial tear eye drops. The results from this study should be considered when choosing the right artificial tear eye drops for improving dry eye symptoms in patients wearing ocular prostheses.
Anophthalmos ; Dextrans ; Dry Eye Syndromes ; Eye, Artificial* ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Needles ; Ophthalmic Solutions* ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; Polysorbates ; Povidone ; Propylene Glycol ; Silicones ; Sodium ; Tears* ; Wettability*