Hertel and Naugle exophthalmometers were used to compare the variability and reproducibility, produced by various observers. Five examiners measured fifty two eyes of twenty-six normal subjects each by using two different exophthalmometers, respectively. The average coefficient of variation among five measurements was 5.6% in the right eye, 5.2% in the left eye and 2.1% in base line by Hertel exophthalmometer. The average coefficient of variation measured by Naugle exophthalmometer was 1.9% in both eyes and 0.8% in pupillary distance. In conclusion, Naugle exophthalmometer showed less variability and better reproducibility; it is more appropriate for comparative exophthalmetry.
Reading*

PURPOSE: This study was comprised of patients diagnosed with orbital pseudotumor classified according to the location and evaluated the clinical symptoms and treatment efficacy. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This study included 24 patients diagnosed with orbital pseudotumor between 1994 and 1999. The pseudotumor was localized by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and classified into anterior, diffuse, apical, myositic, and lacrimal. The patients were all initially treated with steroid and additional biopsies were done in 4 patients (5 eyes) who exhibited prolonged symptoms, non-steroid responders and cases of recurrence. Cases diagnosed as sclerosing orbital pseudotumor were excluded. RESULTS: The response to treatment was high in the apical and diffuse types of orbital pseudotumor being 100% and 80% while the lacrimal and myositic types were 57.1% and 54.5%. The lacrimal type showed the highest recurrence rate of 42.9% followed by the myositic and anterior types being 25% and 20%. CONCLUSION: This study is the first in our country to reveal the treatment efficacy of orbital pseudotumors according to location. The orbital pseudotumors were localized by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and classified to compare treatment efficacy and recurrence rates between the different types providing a basis upon which further studies may eventually help in the treatment and prognosis of orbital pseudotumors.
Biopsy ; Classification* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Orbit* ; Orbital Pseudotumor* ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Treatment Outcome*

We evaluated pseudophakia in high myopic patients whose an axial lenght were 26mm and over. Cataract surgery was performed with ECCE and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantations from May 1986 to May 1991 on 69 patients (80 eyes). The results were as follows; 1. Most myopic patients were good candidates for posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation regardless of axial length. 2. Posterior chamber intraocular lens implantations in high myopia were a good refractive surgery. 3. The theoretical formula had better predictabilized than the empirical formula in apredictive accuracy.
Cataract ; Humans ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular* ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Myopia* ; Pseudophakia ; Refractive Surgical Procedures

Randomly selected 435 clones from Acanthamoeba healyi cDNA library were sequenced and a total of 387 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) had been generated. Based on the results of BLAST search, 130 clones (34.4%) were identified as the genes encoding surface proteins, enzymes for DNA, energy production or other metabolism, kinases and phosphatases, protease, proteins for signal transduction, structural and cytoskeletal proteins, cell cycle related proteins, transcription factors, transcription and translational machineries, and transporter proteins. Most of the genes (88.5%) are newly identified in the genus Acanthamoeba. Although 15 clones matched the genes of Acanthamoeba located in the public databases, twelve clones were actin gene which was the most frequently expressed gene in this study. These ESTs of Acanthamoeba would give valuable information to study the organism as a model system for biological investigations such as cytoskeleton or cell movement, signal transduction, transcriptional and translational regulations. These results would also provide clues to elucidate factors for pathogenesis in human granulomatous amoebic encephalitis or keratitis by Acanthamoeba.
Acanthamoeba/cytology/*genetics/pathogenicity ; Amebiasis/parasitology ; Animals ; DNA, Protozoan/*genetics ; *Expressed Sequence Tags ; Gene Library ; Human ; Protozoan Proteins/genetics ; *Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Signal Transduction ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in women worldwide. Immigrant women face cultural and social impediments, discrimination, and emotional and mental stressors; and they participate less in breast cancer prevention services. Breast self examination (BSE) may be effective in early detection. The purpose of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to identify the practice of BSE and to examine predictors related to the practice of BSE among North Korean female immigrants residing in South Korea. METHODS: Data were collected from a convenience sample of 131 North Korean female immigrants aged 20 years through 65 years who had attended community centers, local churches, and women's gatherings located in Incheon, Kyeongkido, Seoul, and Jeju. RESULTS: This study found that 17.6% of the women performed BSE and 8.4% were taught the methods of detecting breast cancer including BSE. Two significant predictors to performing BSE were found-good perceived health status (P=.003)and education about breast cancer screening and the breast self examination (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that North Korean female immigrants who were taught the detecting methods of breast cancer including BSE were more likely to practice BSE.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast Self-Examination* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Education ; Emigrants and Immigrants* ; Female ; Humans ; Incheon ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Seoul

Viral infections can be causative in many glomerular disease, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is closely related to a collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). This is known as HIV associated nephropathy (HIVAN) and is characterized clinically by proteinuria, often of sudden onset, with rapidly progressive renal dysfunction resulting in end stage renal disease (ESRD) over several months. Increasingly, other primary renal diseases are being described in HIV infected patients, including IgA nephropathy, an immune complex lupus-like neprhopathy, and tubulonephritis. We observed rare HIVAN case presenting membranous glomerulonephritis with nephrotic syndrome in a woman who was positive for HIV without hepatitis B viral infection. She was treated with Methylprednisolone 60 mg/day, zidovudine 600 mg/day, efavirenz 60 mg/day, and lamivudine 300 mg/day for 5 months. After treatment, proteinuria decreased from 4,092 mg/day to 419 mg/day and CD4 T cell count rose from 594/mL to 1,176/mL. The effectiveness and safety of corticosteroids in the treatment of HIVAN remained controversial but this case showed good response for steroid with triple antiviral therapy about HIVAN especially membranous glomerulonephritis.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; AIDS-Associated Nephropathy ; Antigen-Antibody Complex ; Cell Count ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; Glomerulonephritis, Membranous* ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental ; Hepatitis B ; HIV Infections* ; HIV* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Lamivudine ; Methylprednisolone ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Proteinuria ; Zidovudine

PURPOSE: We aimed primarily to investigate the level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and depression in older adults and secondly to identify the impact of LUTS and depression on HRQoL. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to November 2010. Participants were recruited from five community senior centers serving community dwelling older adults in Jeju city. Data analysis was based on 171 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to guide interviews; the data were collected including demographic characteristics, body mass index, adherence to regular exercise, comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and osteoarthritis), depression, urinary incontinence, LUTS (measured via the International Prostate Symptom Score [IPSS]), and HRQoL as assessed by use of the EQ-5D Index. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to test predictors of HRQoL. RESULTS: Eighteen percent (18.6%) of the respondents reported depressive symptoms. The mean LUTS score was 8.9 (IPSS range, 0 to 35). The severity of LUTS, was reported to be mild (score, 0 to 7) by 53% of the respondents, moderate (score, 8 to 19) by 34.5%, and severe (score, 20 to 35) by 12.5%. HRQoL was significantly predicted by depression (Partial R2=0.193, P<0.01) and LUTS (Partial R2=0.048, P=0.0047), and 24% of the variance in HRQoL was explained. CONCLUSIONS: LUTS and depression were the principal predictors of HRQoL in older adults.
Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Comorbidity ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Prostate ; Quality of Life ; Statistics as Topic ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urinary Incontinence

PURPOSE: Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is treated by use of various protocols. We compared tamsulosin monotherapy with tamsulosin in combination with antibiotics or anti-inflammatory agents and evaluated the efficacy of these treatments in patients with CPPS. METHODS: Patients (n=107) who were younger than 55 years and diagnosed with CPPS were randomly assigned to treatment with tamsulosin at 0.2 mg (group A), tamsulosin at 0.2 mg plus anti-inflammatory drugs (group B) or tamsulosin at 0.2 mg plus antibiotics (group C) daily. We applied the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) to evaluate 100 patients who were treated for 12 weeks (7 withdrew). Scores of the three groups were compared by analysis of variance and we also evaluated subscores, which included pain, voiding and quality of life (QoL). RESULTS: All three groups showed statistically significant decreases in NIH-CPSI score, IPSS and subscore scores (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups except for the QoL domain of the IPSS (group A vs. C; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Tamsulosin monotherapy for 12 weeks was effective for treating patients with CPPS, compared with combination therapy with antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs.
Academies and Institutes ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; Humans ; Pelvic Pain ; Prostate ; Prostatitis ; Quality of Life ; Sulfonamides

BACKGROUND: As the breast cancer incidence has increased, breast-conserving surgery has replaced total mastectomy as the predominant procedure. However, centrally located breast cancers pose significant challenges to successful breast-conserving surgeries. Therefore, we performed partial mastectomy and oncoplastic procedures on centrally located breast cancer as a means of partial breast reconstruction. The authors examined and evaluated the functional and aesthetic usefulness of this reconstruction method. METHODS: From January 2007 to June 2011, 35 patients with centrally located breast cancers who underwent various oncoplastic procedures based on the breast size and resection volume. The oncoplastic procedures performed included volume displacement surgical techniques such as purse-string suture, linear suture, and reduction mammaplasty. Other oncoplastic procedures included volume replacement procedures with an adipofascial, thoracoepigastric, intercostal artery perforator, thoracodorsal artery perforator, or latissimus dorsi flap. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 49 years, and mean follow-up period was 11 months. In cases of small to moderate-sized breasts and resection volumes <50 g, volume displacement procedures were performed. In cases of resection volumes >50 g, volume replacement procedures were performed. In cases of larger breasts and smaller resection volumes, glandular reshaping was performed. Finally, in cases of larger breasts and larger resection volumes, reduction mammaplasty was performed. This reconstruction method also elicits a high patient satisfaction rate with no significant complications. CONCLUSIONS: In centrally located breast cancer, oncoplastic surgery considering breast size and resection volume is safe and provides appropriate aesthetic outcomes. Therefore, our method is advisable for breast cancer patients who elect to conserve their breasts and retain a natural breast shape.
Arteries ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mammaplasty* ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Mastectomy, Simple ; Patient Satisfaction ; Superficial Back Muscles ; Surgical Flaps ; Sutures

It has been reported that myocardial bridging may be associated with myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, vasospasm, cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death. However, the mechanism whereby ischemia occur as a consequence of myocardial bridging remains unclear. Recently we experienced a case of myocardial infarction in a patient with myocardial bridging and atrial fibrillation. A 66-year-old man presented with severe chest pain. His ECG showed ST elevation in V3-V5 and atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. He underwent coronary angiography, which revealed a thrombus in the distal portion of the myocardial LAD bridge. He was treated with antiplatelet agents, heparin, tirofiban and amiodarone and beta-blocker without percutaneous coronary intervention. Five days later, his clinical condition was recovered and follow-up coronary angiography revealed markedly improved blood flow of the left anterior descending artery. The previous thrombus had disappeared.
Aged ; Amiodarone ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Arteries ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Angiography ; Death, Sudden ; Electrocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heparin ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Myocardial Bridging ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; Thrombosis