No abstract available.

PURPOSE: Metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) have been linked to the angiogenic process in general. In order to understand the potential roles of MMPs and TIMPs in corneal neovascularization process, we examined the expression and activities of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 during the course of suture-induced corneal neovascularization in rat model. METHODS: Corneal neovascularization of rat cornea was induced by suturing. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in sutured corneas was examined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured before and after suture by gelatin zymography. RESULTS: MMP-2 proenzyme, and TIMP-1, -2 were expressed in normal corneas, predominantly in corneal epithelium. After injury, expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 increased, notably in healing corneal epithelium, infiltrating inflammatory cells, stromal fibroblasts, and ingrowing vascular endothelial cells. The intensity of immunostaining and enzymatic activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 paralleled the magnitude of inflammatory cell infiltration, which peaked around day 7 after suture. Immunoreactivity of MMP/TIMP decreased significantly two weeks after suturing. At day 35 after suture, staining of MMP-2, TIMP-1, -2 remained visible only in corneal epithelium and vascular endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: MMPs as well as TIMPs were upregulated during suture-induced corneal neo-vascularization, suggesting that both may take part in extracellular matrix remodeling in the corneal wound healing, inflammatory, and neovascularization processes.
Animals ; Cornea ; Corneal Neovascularization* ; Endothelial Cells ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts ; Gelatin ; Immunohistochemistry ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2* ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Metalloproteases ; Models, Animal ; Rats ; Stromal Cells ; Sutures ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1* ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; Wound Healing

Newborns with ileal atresia frequently present with abdominal distension, bilious vomiting, and failure to pass meconium. Diagnosis is usually established on plain x-ray of the abdomen by the findings of distended small bowel loops and air-fluid levels. In the period of October 1988 to February 1994, 8 patients with congenital ileal atresia were operated and the following results were obtained. 1. Eight patients were comprise of 4 males and 4 females, the ratio of male and female was 1 : 1. 2. Six patients(75%) had been admitted to our hospital during three days of life. 3. Congenital ileal atresia was in 8 cases : Type I in two(25%), Type II in two(25%), Type III a in three(37.5%), Type III b in one(12.5%). 4. There was one premature patient who was small for gestational age. 5. Overall, abdominal distension and bilious vomiting occurring in seven patients, were frequent presenting complaints. 6. Diagnosis was possible with clinical symptom and simple abdomen. 7. Operative treatment was undertaken as soon as the diagnosis was made. In seven cases a primary end-to-end anastomosis was performed after resection of dilated proximal loop. 8. A total of four associated congenital anomalies were found in one patient. 9. Postoperative complications occurred in three cases(37.5%).
Abdomen ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Male ; Meconium ; Postoperative Complications ; Vomiting

Among the erythrocyte membrane defects, hereditary spherocytosis is the most common. The erythrocyte membrane defect results from a deficiency of spectrin, the most important structural protein in red cell. Hereditary spherocytosis often presents with hemolytic anemia, jaundice, moderate splenomegaly. Diagnosis is established by the presence of spherocytes in the peripheral blood, reticulocytosis, an increased osmotic fragility, and a negative Coombs test. In children, splenectomy is usually performed after age 6 years but can be done at a younger age if warranted by the severity of the anemia and the need for frequent transfusions. In the period December 1987 to Agust 1993, 9 patients with hereditrary spherocytosis underwent splenectomy and the following results were obtained. 1. Nine patients were comprised of five males and four females. 2. Five patients(55.6%) had been admitted to our hospital during age 6-10 years. 3. Four of the nine patients had autosomal dominant inheritance with variable expression. The other five patients had no known inheritance. 4. The diagnosis of the spherocytosis was based on the increased osmotic fragility and increased autohemolysis of the erythrocytes, as well as on the appearance of spherocytes in the peripheral blood smear. 5. In all cases splenectomy was performed. Two patients had concomitant gall stones and choledocholithiasis, respectively. One patient with concomitant gall stones underwent simultaneous cholecystectomy and splenectomy. The other patients associated with choledocholithiasis underwent splenectomy, cholecystectomy, choledocholithotomy, and T-tube drainage. 6. Complete hematologic recovery was obtained by the splenectomy in all cases. 7. Postoperative complication was not occurred.
Anemia ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Child ; Cholecystectomy ; Choledocholithiasis ; Coombs Test ; Diagnosis ; Drainage ; Erythrocyte Membrane ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Gallstones ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Male ; Osmotic Fragility ; Postoperative Complications ; Reticulocytosis ; Spectrin ; Spherocytes ; Splenectomy* ; Splenomegaly ; Wills

Growth under conditions of iron-restriction and the production of siderophore was examined in Vibrio mimicus ATCC 33653. This strain grew and multiplied in the presence of the high-affinity iron chelators ethylenediamine-di (o-hydroxyphenylacetic acid). Chrorne azurol S (CAS) agar and solution were used to detect the production of siderophore under these condition. Siderophore could be detected in the iron-rcstricted culture supernatants. The siderophore was extracted from iron-restricted culture supernatants by phenol-chloroform-ether method and purified by Dowex ion-exchange and Sephadex G-25 gel filtracton chromatography. The purified siderophore was confirmed by paper chromatography and HPLC. The Purified siderophore enhanced the growth of V. mimicus when the bacterium was grown in iron limited medium. Injection of both the siderohore and the bacteria to mice resulted in more rapid death than that of the only bacteria. However, the siderophore did not show lethality to mice and any toxicity to cell line like HeLa and U937.
Agar ; Animals ; Bacteria ; Cell Line ; Chelating Agents ; Chromatography ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Paper ; Iron ; Mice ; Vibrio mimicus* ; Vibrio*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of CCA (Cone for controlled Atmosphere) in Meditec Mel 70 Excimer laser in the extent of correction of myopic astigmatism in comparison with VISX 20/20 with Large beam. METHODS: We evaluated 256 eyes of 132 patients who had been followed for 6 months or longer after LASIK. Group I included 126 eyes operated by Meditec Mel 70 excimer laser : in group Ia (35 eyes), Meditec Mel 70 was used without CCA setting, and in group Ib (91 eyes), Meditec Mel 70 with CCA setting. Group II included 130 eyes operated by VISX 20/20. We analyzed the clinical results of each group and compared with each other. RESULTS: Mean preoperative astigmatic refraction was -0.93+/-0.42 diopter in group Ia, -1.12+/-0.89 diopter in group Ib, -1.06+/-0.79 diopter in group I and -1.30+/-1.06 diopter in group II. Six months after procedure, difference vector was -0.59+/-0.56 diopter in group Ia, -0.32+/-0.24 diopter in group Ib, -0.43+/-0.42 diopter in group I and -0.96+/-0.65 diopter in group II. The effect of astigmatic correction was more superior in group Ib than in group Ia, and in group I than in group II (P<0.01). At 6 months follow-up, residual astigmatism within +/-1.0 diopter was in 77.1% of group Ia, 96.7% of group Ib, 91.3% of group I, and 65.4% of group II. The deviation of the cylindrical axis was less in group Ib than in group Ia, and less in group I than in group II : 57.2% in group Ia, 86.8% in group Ib, 78.5% in group I and 57.7% in group II. Among eyes with mean preoperative astigmatic refraction over -1.50 diopter, group Ib and group I showed significantly better effect compared with group Ia and group II(P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: LASIK operation using Meditec Mel 70 of German Aesculap-Meditec company especially with CCA showed higher predictibility in the correction of myopic astigmatism. The more severe was the extent of astigmatism, the more excellent was the efficacy of correction.
Astigmatism* ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Lasers, Excimer

Diphenylbydantoin-induced movement disorders have been rarely reported. They include choreoathetosis, orofacial dyskinesia, asterixis, dystonia, and ballismus. A patient with epllepsy, who showed orofacial dyskinesia with toxic cerebellar syrnptoms after longterm use of diphenylhydantoin is presented. The involuntary movement rapidily disappeared with a reduction of diphenylhydantoin dose.
Dyskinesias ; Dystonia ; Humans ; Movement Disorders* ; Phenytoin

This review-article is aimed at shedding a light upon the nature of age-associated changes in the human skeletal system. When the anatomical, physiological and biochemical consequences of bone aging are considered together with the hardening, drying and the diminished repair capabilities of the elderly, it can be seen that fractures assume greater importance as a clinical problem in the geriatric population. Older people start out with a deficit of cortical bone, making them more fracture prone and once fractures occur, the necessary treatments (immobilization, use of casts, etc.) accelerate the rate of bone loss. In addition, aged individuals stand a higher risk for complications of the hospital and enforced bed rest that may ensue. The problems resulting from bone loss in the elderly may be partially alleviated by providing adequate health service support which should include consideration of the following points : 1. Age, sex and general health status ; 2. Habits and inclinations towards physical activities ; 3. Nutritional and endocrine background ; 4. Presence of any specific bone diseases, including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, osteomalacia and ankylosis ; 5. Psychosocial adaptability and other behavioral elements.
Aged ; Aging ; Ankylosis ; Bed Rest ; Biology* ; Bone Diseases ; Health Services ; Humans* ; Motor Activity ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteomalacia ; Osteoporosis

The use of pure titanium and titanium alloys have been increased recently in fixed, removable prosthodontics and implant fields as a framework. But when they were used for superstructures of implant of metal framework of removable prosthesis, welding is necessary to reconnect the fracture site to control the casting distortions. To overcome the difficulties in soldering the titanium due to high oxidation property, much effort have been devoted. In this study, some of mechanical properties were compared between pure titanium and Ti-6Al-4V alloy by usingl aser welding, electron beam welding technique and tungsten arc welding. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength, yield strength, elongation and microhardness were measured. And, in order to compare the effect of welding site and surrounding metal tissue according to the welding condition, SEM photographs were taken an element distribution was observed by Wave Dispersion Spectroscopy. Through analyses of the data, following results were obtained; 1. In items such as tensile strength, yield strength and elongation according to the welding techniques of pure titanium, only tungsten arc welded group showed significant lower value than other groups(P<0.05). 2. In items such as tensile strength and yield strength according to the welding techniques of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, control group and tungsten arc welded group showed significant difference among all the groups(P<0.05). 3. Ti-6Al-4V alloy exhibited significantly greater elongation than control group when the laser welding method and electron beam welding method were used, and elongation showed increasing tendency. 4. Pure titanium specimens exhibited increasing tendency of microhardness regardless of the welding technique applied, and especially tungsten arc welded group demonstrated a great increase of microhardness than parent metal. 5. There was no hardness change in laser welded group and electron bean welded group of Ti-6Al-4V ally, but in tungsten arc welded group, hardness changed greatly from parent metal to weld seam. 6. Through the metallographic examination and scanning electron microscopy, laser welding caused central fusion and recristallizations were formed and tungsten arc welding caused localized fusion to 0.3-0.7mm from the surface.
Alloys ; Hardness ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Parents ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthodontics ; Spectrum Analysis ; Tensile Strength ; Titanium* ; Tungsten ; Welding*

The use of recombinant DNA technology to produce human growth hormone has resulted in a marked increase in availability of Growth Hormone(GH) to treat short stature due to GH deficiency and other conditions, such as Turner syndrome, familial short stature, chronic renal insufficiency and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). But, the GH therapy may result in the adverse events such as sodium and water retention, pseudotumor cerebri, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, growth of nevi, recurrence of tumor. We experienced a case of severe hypertension associated with GH therapy in a 14-year-old male who presented high blood pressure up to 190/100 mmHg and normalized at 2-3 weeks after discontinuation of GH. Therefore, we think that the blood pressure should be carefully monitored during GH therapy.
Adolescent ; Blood Pressure ; DNA, Recombinant ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Growth Hormone* ; Human Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Male ; Nevus ; Noonan Syndrome ; Pseudotumor Cerebri ; Recurrence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphyses ; Sodium