PURPOSE: Oxidative stress is the well known causative factor for retinal damage. This study investigated the effects of glutathione on reactive oxygen species(ROS) induced injury in human retinal pigment epithelial(HRPE) cells. OBJECTS AND METHODS: HRPE cells (ATCC:CRL-2302) were cultured with DMEM media and exposed to oxidative stress (paraquat, hydrogen peroxide) and/or glutathione modulator[(buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), glutathione (GSH), 2-oxo 4-thiazolidine carboxylic acid (OTC)] for 2 days. The cell viability was determined by measuring the amount of reduced 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT). RESULTS: The rate of MTT reduction of HRPE cells decreased by either paraquat or hydrogen peroxide treatment. BSO as a inhibitor of glutathione biosynthesis potentiated paraquat- or hydrogen peroxideinduced HRPE cells injury. On the other hand GSH or OTC reduced the rate of decrement of MTT reduction in HRPE cells by paraquat and hydrogen peroxide. CONCLUSIONS: Glutathione seemed to play some role in prevention of ROS-induced HRPE cells injury and OTC may be used as an agents for prevention of free radical induced HRPE cell injury.
Cell Survival ; Epithelial Cells* ; Glutathione* ; Hand ; Humans* ; Hydrogen ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxygen* ; Paraquat ; Retinaldehyde*

The purpose of this study was to investigate the arthro-sonographic appearance of the chronic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury. Twenty-nine patient, who were identified to have partial or complete ATFL tears by conventional ultrasonography were included. Intraarticular injection of 5 mL of fluid (2.5 cc lidocaine+2.5 saline) was performed under ultrasound-guidance, which was followed by arthrosonography. Among 23 patients with partial tear which was detected by the conventional ultrasonography, 11 patients were identified to have complete tear by the arthrosonography. Among 6 patients with complete tear was detected by conventional ultrasonography, all of them identified to have complete tear by the arthrosonography. Arthrosonography is helpful in evaluation the configuration of ATFL complete tear and detecting complete tear by making them appear larger and apparent after instillation of fluid.
Humans ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Ligaments

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term effects and advantages of transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) performed using the conventional (CL) and posterolateral (PL) approaches. METHOD: Fifty patients with lumbar radicular pain from lumbar spinal stenosis and herniated lumbar disc were enrolled. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups (CL or PL group). All procedures were performed using a C-arm (KMC 950, KOMED, Kwangju, Kyunggi, Korea). We compared the frequency of complications during the procedure and the effects of the pain block between the two groups at 2, 4, and 12 weeks after the procedure. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the demographic data, initial VNS (Visual numeric scale), or ODI (Oswestry disability index) between the CL group (n=26) and the PL group (n=24). There was no statistically significant difference in the outcome measures (VNS and ODI) between the groups at 2, 4, or 12 weeks. Symptoms of nerve root irritation occurred in 1 case of the CL group and in 7 cases of the PL group (p<0.05). Pricking of spinal nerve during the procedure and transient weakness after the procedure occurred in 6 cases and 3 cases, respectively in the CL group, but did not occur in the PL group. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the posterolateral approach represents an alternative TFESI method in cases with difficult needle tip positioning in the anterior epidural space, and could lower the risk of target nerve root irritation and nerve penetration.
Epidural Space ; Humans ; Needles ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Spinal Nerves ; Spinal Stenosis

A 36-year-old female amateur cyclist developed mononeuropathy of the deep branch of the ulnar nerve due to nerve compression adjacent to the ulnar tunnel (type II Guyon’s canal syndrome) caused by prolonged bicycle riding.The patient’s signs and symptoms persisted even after refraining from cycling for 4 weeks; thus, she underwent decompression of the deep branch of the ulnar nerve in the palm and wrist. Three months postoperation, she recovered nearly full power and function of her left hand.

Verrucous carcinoma is a slow-growing, well-differentiated, low grade squamous cell carcinoma with little tendency to metastasize. The best treatment for verrucous carcinoma is excision, and Mohs microsurgery may also be a helpful technique. But some people can not undergo surgical excision because of poor general condition of the site and the size of the tumor. Herein, we report a case of verrucous carcinoma treated by 5% imiquimod cream. A 71-year-old male patient presented with a large hyperkeratotic verrucous plaque on the Rt. buttock. Diagnosis of verrucous carcinoma was based on typical clinical and histologic features. Surgical excision could not be performed due to the size of the tumor. Treatment with 5% imiquimod cream, a topical immune response modifier, applied every other day for 16 weeks, led to tumor regression. Four weeks after the end of treatment, the lesion was evaluated by punch biopsy. The histology just showed scar tissue change. This case demonstrates that the imiquimod cream might be an alternative treatment option for verrucous carcinoma.
Aged ; Aminoquinolines ; Biopsy ; Buttocks ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Carcinoma, Verrucous ; Cicatrix ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery

PURPOSE: We analyzed the survival and failure patterns of cervix cancer patients treated with irradiation alone to evaluate our treatment method and to compare with the others. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Two hundred and twenty cervical cancer patients, Stage IB, IIA, and IIB who completed the planned treatment between May 1987 and December 1991 were analyzed retrospectively. The Stage IB patients were restaged to the Stage IB1 and IB2 by the recently revised FIGO classification. Patients were treated with a combination of external irradiation and the intracavitary brachytherapy. Determination of the tumor control was done at the time of 6 months postirradiation. The follow-up time was ranged from 3 to 115 months and the mean was 62 months and the follow-up rate was 93.6%(206/220). RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival rate of Stage IB1(N=50), IB2(N=15), IIA(N=58), and IIB(N=97) was 94%, 87%, 69%, and 56%, respectively. In the univariate analysis of prognostic factors,stage(0.00), initial Hg level (p=0.00), initial TA-4(tumor-associated) antigen level(p=0.02), initial CEA level(p=0.02), barrel-shaped tumor(p=0.02), whole cervical involvement (0.00), pelvic lymphadenopathy(LAP) in CT(p=0.04), and post-irradiation adjuvant chemotherapy(p=0.00) were statistically significant in survival analysis. In a while, multivariate analysis showed that the stage was the most powerful prognostic indicator and the post-irradiation chemotherapy factor also showed the statistical significance. The overall local control rate was 81% and by the stage, 100% in Stage IB1, 86.7% in Stage IB2, 84.5% in Stage IIA, and 68.1% in Stage IIB, respectively. The overall tumor recurrence rate was 15.5%(27/174) and by the stage, 8%(4/50) in Stage IB1, 0%(0/13) in Stage IB2, 22.4%(11/49) in Stage IIA, and 19.4%(12/62) in Stage IIB, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We obtained the similar treatment results to the other's ones in early stage cervical cancer patients. But in Stage IIB, the local control rate was lower than that of the other institutes and also the survival was poorer. So it seems to be necessary to reevaluate the treatment method in advanced cervical cancer patients.
Academies and Institutes ; Brachytherapy ; Cervix Uteri* ; Classification ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Acral persistent papular mucinosis (APPM) is a rare subtype of localized lichen myxedematosus, which involves only the extensor surfaces of the hands, wrists and the distal part of forearms. Some subtypes of lichen myxedematosus including APPM have been reported with increased frequency in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We describe a 31 year-old male patient with an HIV infection who presented with discrete, flesh-colored papules on the extensor surfaces of the wrists and the distal part of the forearms. Histopathologic findings revealed focal deposition of mucin in papillary and mid dermis that spared a small grenz zone. The lesions showed spontaneous regression after starting highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We report a rare case of APPM in a patient with HIV infection which showed spontaneous regression with HAART, suggesting that APPM may represent one of the cutaneous markers of HIV infection.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Adult ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; Dermis ; Forearm ; Hand ; HIV Infections* ; HIV* ; Humans ; Male ; Mucins ; Scleromyxedema* ; Wrist

PURPOSE: In response to a growing threat of violence in hospitals, we examined a specific educational effort to reduce emergency department (ED) violence in the shortterm. METHODS: Cross-sectional prospective surveys were conducted at Chosun University Hospital Emergency Center during a baseline period from May 26 to Jul. 9. 2003, and during a post-education period from Aug. 7 to Sep. 20. 2003. Questions addressed the degree of violence, the reason for the violence, demographic information about the perpetrator of the violence, the outbreak time of the violence and the response of emergency personnel. RESULTS: After an education program on violence, the rate of violent events in the ED was decreased by 23.5%. A notable change was that ED workers handled the violence more positively during the post-education period by isolating or restraining the aggressor. Almost all of the violence was caused by males, particularly those in their third or fourth decade. The violence occurred mostly on the night shift. Of the violence, 52.4% was caused by the patient while 34.8% was caused by the patient's guardian. The leading causes of violence were drunkenness and delays in laboratory tests and treatment. Verbal abuse and threats were the most concern forms of violence. CONCLUSION: Violent events are frequent in the ED. Education programs may reduce the number of events at least temporarily.
Alcoholic Intoxication ; Education* ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Violence*

No abstract available.
Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess the reliability, the validity, the psychological characteristics, and the internal structure of the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) for nurses for the assessment of the workplace bullying. METHODS: A total of 190 female nurses who worked in a university hospital and who had participated in an annual health surveillance program were recruited into the study. A structured questionnaire was used to evaluate each participant's workplace bullying, job stress, and psychosocial wellbeing. Workplace bullying was assessed using the negative acts questionnaire-revised (NAQ-R), job stress was assessed using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form (KOSS-SF) and psychosocial wellbeing was assessed using the Psychosocial Wellbeing Index-Short Form (PWI-SF). Resulting answers from the questionnaires were analyzed by chi-square, ANOVA, correlation analysis, and factor analysis. RESULTS: Victims of workplace bullying of nurses in a hospital is 37(19%) based on operational bullying criteria. The Cronbach's alpha for the negative acts questionnaire-revised (NAQ-R) is 0.9260. By exploratory factor analysis, we conclude that 3 factor are most relevant. Criterion validity was satisfied with that a negative acts questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) resulting in a statistically significant and positive relationship with PWI-SF , construct validity was satisfied with that NAQ-R has statistically significant and high positive correlation with the occupational climate of the KOSS results. CONCLUSIONS: The negative acts questionnaire-revised (NAQ-R) is a reliable and valid tool for the assessment of workplace bullying in the hospital nurse. By using this tool, we can imply the prevalence of and the condition of workplace bullying among the nurse.
Bullying ; Climate ; Female ; Humans ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Reproducibility of Results