PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of glucose concentrations on the formation of reactive oxygen products and cellular injury in human lens epithelial (HLE) cells. METHODS: Human lens epithelial (HLE) cells were cultured with high glucose (200 mg/100 ml, 300 mg/100 ml, 400 mg/100 ml) and normal glucose (100 mg/100 ml) contained Modified Egle's Medium (MEM). The amounts of reactive oxygen products were assayed by dihydroethidium (DHE). Paraquat-induced cytotoxicity was determined by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 -diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. RESULTS Reactive oxygen products of human lens epithelial cells increased 110%, 250% and 630% in the high glucose (200 mg/100 ml, 300 mg/100 ml, 400 mg/100 ml) media compared to the normal glucose (100 mg/100 ml) media. The paraquat-induced cells toxicity was increased by the high glucose. CONCLUSIONS: High glucose increased the formation of reactive oxygen products in human lens epithelial cells. These results suggest that high glucose can induce cataract formation in diabetic patients.
Cataract ; Epithelial Cells* ; Glucose* ; Humans* ; Oxygen*

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of glucose concentrations on the formation of reactive oxygen products and cellular injury in human lens epithelial (HLE) cells. METHODS: Human lens epithelial (HLE) cells were cultured with high glucose (200 mg/100 ml, 300 mg/100 ml, 400 mg/100 ml) and normal glucose (100 mg/100 ml) contained Modified Egle's Medium (MEM). The amounts of reactive oxygen products were assayed by dihydroethidium (DHE). Paraquat-induced cytotoxicity was determined by the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 -diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. RESULTS Reactive oxygen products of human lens epithelial cells increased 110%, 250% and 630% in the high glucose (200 mg/100 ml, 300 mg/100 ml, 400 mg/100 ml) media compared to the normal glucose (100 mg/100 ml) media. The paraquat-induced cells toxicity was increased by the high glucose. CONCLUSIONS: High glucose increased the formation of reactive oxygen products in human lens epithelial cells. These results suggest that high glucose can induce cataract formation in diabetic patients.
Cataract ; Epithelial Cells* ; Glucose* ; Humans* ; Oxygen*

PURPOSE: To evaluate morphologic characteristics of the microcalcifications on mammography that were confirmed pathologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty five cases of microcalcifications on mammography (fifteen cases of benign lesion, thirty cases of maiignancy) were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The number of microcalcifications within 1 cm2 were more than 5 in 22 cases (73%) of 30 malignancy and less than 5 in 11 cases (73%) of 15 benignity. The heterogeneity of microcalcifications were seen in 26 cases of malignancy (87%) and the homogeneity of microcaicifications were 11 cases of benignity (73%). The morphologic characteristics of the microcalcifications were linear-V shape in 9 cases (30%), punctate shape in 8 cases (27%), fine stippled shape in 7 cases (23%), and round dot shape in 6 cases (20%) of malignancy and, round dot shape in 11 cases (73%), punctate shape in 2 cases (13%), and linear-V shape in 2 cases (13%) of benignity. CONCLUSION: Numerous irregular microcalcifications that are heterogenous in size and morphology were strong indicators of malignancy.
Mammography ; Population Characteristics ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.
Dandy-Walker Syndrome*

BACKGROUND: The use of therapeutic materials based on new health technology has increased in recent years in the field of medicine, raising concerns for medical practitioners regarding increased spending on the new therapeutic materials amid the rapid population ageing and increase of chronic diseases in Korea. While therapeutic materials have significant importance in the health care system, they have not been given appropriate attention in the academic world of Korea. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that affect the growth of expenditure on therapeutic materials and to derive implications for an effective management considering the diversity of therapeutic materials. METHODS: Using the claims data of the National Health Insurance Services, specific utilization patterns of groups of therapeutic materials in the middle classification level of Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from 2007 to 2014 were analyzed. Four categories (J5083: drug eluting coronary stent, D0302: nonmetallic anchor, K6014: gauze, K6023: gauze) that exhibit unique patterns with respect to price and volume were selected. Then, decomposition analysis was performed to identify the largest contributor to the spending growth by dividing the products into existing, new, and abandoned products for the period between 2010 and 2013. RESULTS: The effect of new products had larger impact on spending growth than the effect of core items in drug eluting coronary stent (J5083) and nonmetallic anchor (D0302). In addition, existing products in general included items priced relatively lower when compared with another item manufactured by the same company. In the gauze category, however, existing products had the largest impact on expenditure and the effect of volume was greater than that in other categories. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that appropriate management measures classified by the characteristics of therapeutic materials are required for therapeutic materials pricing and reassessment in Korea.
Biomedical Technology ; Chronic Disease ; Classification ; Delivery of Health Care ; Health Expenditures* ; Health Status ; Insurance ; Korea ; National Health Programs* ; Stents

Purpose: The aim of this study was to review our experience with laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LACs), and to evaluate its feasibility and safety for surgical treatment of colorectal diseases, including cancer. Methods: Between September 2002 and September 2005, a LAC was performed in 58 patients. Of these, 6 cases of conversion to open colectomy were excluded from the analysis. Fifty conventional open colectomy (OCs) with clinicopathologic characteristics comparable to those of the LACs were selected and matched as a control group for comparative analysis regarding short-term oncologic and perioperative outcomes. The mean follow-up period was 13.8 (2~37) months. Results: Thirteen complications, involving 11 patients, occurred. The mean operative time of the LAC was longer than that of the OC (215 min vs. 179 min; P<0.0001). However, earlier restoration of bowel function was achieved in the LAC as measured by postoperative first flatus (2.8 days vs. 3.8 days) and intake of a clear liquid diet (4.7 days vs. 5.8 days). There was no significant difference in hospital stay (LAC vs. OC, 10.2 days vs. 11.8 days). In patients with malignancy, the proximal resection margin in the LAC was significantly shorter than that in the OC (9.2 cm vs. 13.3 cm; P<0.0001). However, there were no significant differences in the mean numbers of harvested lymph nodes (LAC vs. OC, 16.6 vs. 19.3; P=0.4330) and the mean distal resection margins (LAC vs. OC, 6.9 cm vs. 6.0 cm; P=0.1359). There were 3 distant metastases and one local recurrence during follow-up in the LAC group, but no port-site recurrence. Conclusions: In this study, we could not receive an advantage of shorter hospital stay due to the relatively high complication rate for a LAC, which may reflect a learning curve. Earlier postoperative recovery of bowel function and equal pathologic extent of resection in the LAC suggest that the LAC is an acceptable alternative procedure in the treatment of colorectal diseases, including malignancy. More experience with the LAC is necessary to overcome the learning curve. Affirmative long-term oncologic outcomes of are expected for the LAC.
Neoplasm Metastasis

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of anti-inflammatory agents, specifically bromfenac, loteprednol, and prednisolone, on the permeability of cultured human trabecular meshwork cell (HTMC) monolayers. METHODS: HTMCs were cultured until confluency in the inner chamber of Transwell, then exposed to 1/1,000 or 1/500 diluted commercial 0.1% bromfenac, 0.5% loteprednol, and 1% prednisolone for 24 hours. The permeabilities of carboxyfluorescein through the HTMC monolayer were measured with a spectrofluorometer after 2 hours in the outer chamber. Cellular viabilities were assessed with an 3-[4,5–dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. RESULTS: Bromfenac and loteprednol diluted at 1/1,000 or 1/500 did not significantly affect the cellular survival (p > 0.05). Bromfenac did not affect the permeability via the HTMC monolayer (p > 0.05) and loteprednol decreased the permeability (p < 0.05). In addition, 1/2,000 prednisolone also decreased the permeability (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among the anti-inflammatory agents, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent bromfenac did not affect the permeability, while loteprednol and prednisolone decreased the permeability through the HTMC monolayer. Thus, loteprednol and prednisolone may decrease the trabecular outflow.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents* ; Humans ; Loteprednol Etabonate ; Permeability* ; Prednisolone ; Trabecular Meshwork*

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of anti-inflammatory agents, specifically bromfenac, loteprednol, and prednisolone, on the permeability of cultured human trabecular meshwork cell (HTMC) monolayers. METHODS: HTMCs were cultured until confluency in the inner chamber of Transwell, then exposed to 1/1,000 or 1/500 diluted commercial 0.1% bromfenac, 0.5% loteprednol, and 1% prednisolone for 24 hours. The permeabilities of carboxyfluorescein through the HTMC monolayer were measured with a spectrofluorometer after 2 hours in the outer chamber. Cellular viabilities were assessed with an 3-[4,5–dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. RESULTS: Bromfenac and loteprednol diluted at 1/1,000 or 1/500 did not significantly affect the cellular survival (p > 0.05). Bromfenac did not affect the permeability via the HTMC monolayer (p > 0.05) and loteprednol decreased the permeability (p < 0.05). In addition, 1/2,000 prednisolone also decreased the permeability (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among the anti-inflammatory agents, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent bromfenac did not affect the permeability, while loteprednol and prednisolone decreased the permeability through the HTMC monolayer. Thus, loteprednol and prednisolone may decrease the trabecular outflow.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents* ; Humans ; Loteprednol Etabonate ; Permeability* ; Prednisolone ; Trabecular Meshwork*

Background: The purpose of this study is to explain the factors influencing the incurrence of catastrophic health expenditure of national health insurance households using panel data observed over a long period. Methods: The study targeted 3,652 households who had no censoring during the 11-year survey period (2007–2017) and householders whose insurance type was consistently maintained as national health insurance. Generalized estimating equations were adopted to identify factors affecting the occurrence of catastrophic health expenditure at 20%, 30%, and 40% threshold levels. A subgroup analysis was conducted by categorizing groups depending on the existence of the elderly in the household. Results: For the last 11 years, the incidence of catastrophic health expenditure in the households without the elderly decreased slightly at all threshold levels, but the households with the elderly seemed to be increased. At baseline, household type showed a statistically significant relationship with all other variables. The results of generalized estimating equations analyses show that household income was not significant at all threshold levels in the households without elderly. On the other hand, in the households with the elderly, the 2nd (odds ratio [OR], 1.33–2.05) and 3rd quintile groups (OR, 1.25–2.55) were more likely to have catastrophic health expenditure compared to the 1st quintile of household income group. Conclusion As the amount of health expenditures relative to the ability to pay is increasing in households with the elderly, the application of an intervention followed by consistent monitoring is needed. This study found that there were differences in influencing factors according to the presence of the elderly in the households. In particular, in households with the elderly, interesting results have been drawn regarding the occurrence of catastrophic health expenditure in the near-poor, so additional research is required.

OBJECTIVES: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided high intensity focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) is a newly emerging non-invasive technique for the treatment of uterine fibroids. The purpose of this study is to review the clinical impact of MRgFUS. METHODS: This study examined 157 patients. The high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) utilized in this study was Philips Achieva 1.5 Tesla MR (Philips Healthcare, Best, the Netherlands) and Sonalleve HIFU system. The patients were followed in post-operative Month 1, Month 3, and Month 6 to investigate any change. Then, these were further classified according to the use of uterine stimulant (oxytocin) in parallel, Funaki Type of uterine fibroid, HIFU intensity, and non-perfused volume (NPV) ratio. RESULTS: When the uterine stimulant was utilized, the HIFU intensity was measured at significantly lower levels, compared with the group not using uterine stimulant, and treatment duration was significantly. The NPV ratio was found significantly higher in the group using uterine stimulant. Concerning the correlation between Funaki Type of uterine fibroid and average sonication power, it was found that the closer to Type I, the lower the sonication power, the shorter the treatment duration, and the higher the NPV ratio significantly. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was found that the lower the Funaki Types of uterine fibroids, and the higher the NPV ratio immediately after the operation, the larger the uterine fibroid volume decrease and SSS change were. Also, if uterine stimulant was used in parallel in treatment, treatment duration and HIFU intensity could become shorter and lower.
Delivery of Health Care ; High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation ; Humans ; Leiomyoma* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myoma ; Oxytocin ; Sonication ; Ultrasonography*