Experimental findings have suggested that the metabolic activities of articular cartilage can be influenced by mechanical stimuli. Our recent mathematical analysis predicted that cyclic compressive loading may create periods of intermittent negative hydrostatic pressure within the cartilage extracellular matrix. Therefore, we hypothesize that intermittent negative hydrostatic pressure, created in the cartilage extracellular matrix during dynamic compression, has a stimulative effect on the biosynthesis of chondrocytes. In order to test this hypothesis, the present study developed a custom designed negative pressure generator to subject a monolayer culture of chondrocytes to an intermittent negative pressure. It was found that the intermittent negative pressure produced a 40% increase in proteoglycan and a l7% increase in non-collagenous protein synthesis during the pressurization period(p (0.05). The collagenous protein synthesis was not affected by the intermittent negative pressure regimen used in this study. After the intermittent negative pressurization, the metabolic activities of the chondrocytes returned to normal(control level). The intermittent negative pressure also produced an increase in the mRNA signals for aggrecan. Therefore, we conclude that intermittent negative pressure may be one of the major mechanical stimulators of chondrocytes in articular cartilage during dynamic compression.
Aggrecans ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Chondrocytes* ; Collagen ; Extracellular Matrix ; Hydrostatic Pressure* ; Metabolism* ; Proteoglycans ; RNA, Messenger

No abstract available.
Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung*

PURPOSE: To report the related factors of posterior capsule rupture and the difference of postoperative visual prognosis after phacoemulsification by analyzing clinical features of the surgery performed by ten novice ophthalmologists. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated electronic medical records of 326 patients (412 phacoemulsification cases) who underwent surgery by novice ophthalmologists certified by the Board of Ophthalmology after a resident training program. RESULTS: The number of cataract surgeries performed by each surgeon within the ophthalmology fellowship period (6 months - 2 years) ranged from 16 to 75 eyes, and perioperative posterior capsule ruptures occurred in 64 of 412 eyes (15.5%). Factors such as age, sex, laterality, axial length and clinical courses were not related to the rate of posterior capsule rupture. Nucleosclerosis was significantly related to the posterior capsule rupture rate and was especially higher in the group with a grade higher than five compared to that in the groups with a grade less than 5 based on the Lens Opacities Classification System III (p = 0.033). Factors of surgeon's subspecialty, nucleofractis method, and period between residency and the fellowship were not related to the posterior capsule rupture rate, except when considering anesthetic methods. The posterior capsule rupture rate was less frequent in the retrobulbar surgery group than the topical surgery group (p = 0.046). Postoperative visual outcomes were significantly different at postoperative day one and one month (p = 0.023, 0.022, respectively) but not at postoperative two months (p = 0.059). CONCLUSIONS: Phacoemulsifications performed by novice ophthalmologists showed a statistically significant difference in posterior capsule rupture rate between nucleosclerosis and anesthesia groups. Postoperative visual outcome differed at postoperative day one and one month but not after two months postoperatively.
Anesthesia ; Cataract ; Classification ; Education ; Electronic Health Records ; Fellowships and Scholarships ; Humans ; Internship and Residency ; Learning Curve ; Ophthalmology ; Phacoemulsification* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture* ; Specialization

PURPOSE: To report the related factors of posterior capsule rupture and the difference of postoperative visual prognosis after phacoemulsification by analyzing clinical features of the surgery performed by ten novice ophthalmologists. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated electronic medical records of 326 patients (412 phacoemulsification cases) who underwent surgery by novice ophthalmologists certified by the Board of Ophthalmology after a resident training program. RESULTS: The number of cataract surgeries performed by each surgeon within the ophthalmology fellowship period (6 months - 2 years) ranged from 16 to 75 eyes, and perioperative posterior capsule ruptures occurred in 64 of 412 eyes (15.5%). Factors such as age, sex, laterality, axial length and clinical courses were not related to the rate of posterior capsule rupture. Nucleosclerosis was significantly related to the posterior capsule rupture rate and was especially higher in the group with a grade higher than five compared to that in the groups with a grade less than 5 based on the Lens Opacities Classification System III (p = 0.033). Factors of surgeon's subspecialty, nucleofractis method, and period between residency and the fellowship were not related to the posterior capsule rupture rate, except when considering anesthetic methods. The posterior capsule rupture rate was less frequent in the retrobulbar surgery group than the topical surgery group (p = 0.046). Postoperative visual outcomes were significantly different at postoperative day one and one month (p = 0.023, 0.022, respectively) but not at postoperative two months (p = 0.059). CONCLUSIONS: Phacoemulsifications performed by novice ophthalmologists showed a statistically significant difference in posterior capsule rupture rate between nucleosclerosis and anesthesia groups. Postoperative visual outcome differed at postoperative day one and one month but not after two months postoperatively.
Anesthesia ; Cataract ; Classification ; Education ; Electronic Health Records ; Fellowships and Scholarships ; Humans ; Internship and Residency ; Learning Curve ; Ophthalmology ; Phacoemulsification* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture* ; Specialization

No abstract available.
Aged ; Dacryocystorhinostomy/*methods ; Dry Eye Syndromes/metabolism/*surgery ; Eyelids/*surgery ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus/secretion/*surgery ; Male ; Suture Techniques/*instrumentation ; Tears/*secretion

PURPOSE: To report a case of Terrien's marginal degeneration treated with C-type anterior lamellar keratoplasty using cryopreserved leftover cornea. CASE SUMMARY: A 63-year-old female visited our clinic because of left ocular discomfort and visual deterioration over several years. The patient had +2.25 Dsph = -5.00 Dcyl × 111° of astigmatism, and best corrected visual acuity was 20/20. Microscopic slit lamp examinations revealed an approximately 10.0 mm width semilunar shaped stromal opacity with surrounding stromal lipid deposit, as well as superficial neovascularization with thinning at superior perilimbal cornea. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography confirmed extreme thinning at the opacified cornea. The patient was diagnosed with Terrien's marginal degeneration. To prevent corneal perforation, C-type anterior lamellar keratoplasty using cryopreserved leftover cornea was performed. After 18 months after operation, donor graft was successfully attached via the anterior segment optical coherence tomography and microscopic slit lamp examination and graft rejection was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: C-type anterior lamellar keratoplasty using a cryopreserved cornea can be an effective therapeutic strategy for Terrien's marginal degeneration.
Astigmatism ; Cornea* ; Corneal Perforation ; Corneal Transplantation* ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Slit Lamp ; Tissue Donors ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Transplants ; Visual Acuity

Diffuse leiomyomatosis of the esophagus is a rare condition and usually extends from the mid-esophagus to the proximal third of the stomach. Macroscopically, there is a marked diffuse thickening of the esophageal wall, with or without nodularity, predominantly affecting the circular muscle coat. Microscopically, the disorder is characterized by the loss of the normal orientation of the smooth muscle fibers of all three layers. We report a case in a 37-year-old woman which was incidentally discovered at exploratory thoracotomy.
Female ; Humans

No abstract available.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Infusions, Intravenous* ; Uveitis, Anterior*

PURPOSE: To report a case treated with therapeutic keratoplasty using a cryo-preserved cornea in a patient with Candida albicans keratitis. CASE SUMMARY: A 77-year-old female visited our clinic because of left ocular pain and visual disturbance for 3 days. Microscopic slit lamp examination revealed a 1.2 mm sized round corneal epithelial defect with deep stromal infiltration, brownish pigmentation and signs of inflammation with cyclitic membranes in the anterior chamber. On suspicion of Candida keratitis, we performed penetrating keratoplasty using a cryo-preserved donor cornea in Optisol-GS® (Bausch & Lomb, Irvine, CA, USA) solution with excision of the infected iris and colony of the anterior chamber. After the procedure, injection of intravitreal or intracameral amphotericin B and voriconazole were administered alternately. At 2 weeks after the second surgery, infection signs disappeared. At the follow-up in the outpatient clinic, signs of infection were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic keratoplasty using a cryo-preserved donor cornea can be an immediate and effective therapeutic strategy for Candida albicans keratitis.
Aged ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Amphotericin B ; Anterior Chamber ; Candida albicans* ; Candida* ; Cornea* ; Corneal Transplantation* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Iris ; Keratitis* ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating ; Membranes ; Pigmentation ; Slit Lamp ; Tissue Donors ; Voriconazole

Purpose: This study aimed to elucidate the thermal safety of precision pulse capsulotomy (PPC) via in vivo and in vitro evaluation of the thermal profile using infrared thermography. Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled 15 eyes from 15 participants who underwent cataract surgery using the Zepto PPC. All patients underwent temperature measurements of the incision site and the entire cornea using an infrared thermographer during the capsulotomy procedure. To accurately analyze the temperature change of the Zepto PPC, infrared thermography was performed with the Zepto handpiece while exposed to air and then in porcine eyes. Moreover, in each case, the difference in temperature change according to the use of an ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) was also checked to determine the temperature buffering effect. Results: In the clinical evaluations, the mean temperature elevation around the corneal incision and time duration from baseline to peak temperature during the Zepto capsulotomy were 4.0°C ± 1.9°C and 4.43 ± 1.26 seconds, respectively, with a mean peak temperature of 32.6°C ± 2.0°C. The mean peak temperature and rise time of the naïve Zepto nitinol ring, as measured from the bottom side, were 109.0°C ± 22.9°C and 43.40 ± 11.06 seconds in the experimental procedures, respectively. In the porcine eyes, the mean elevation of temperature and rise time of the Zepto nitinol ring were 6.2°C ± 1.6°C and 11.67 ± 2.08 seconds with the use of OVDs, and 10.5°C ± 3.3°C and 14.00 ± 3.61 seconds without OVDs, respectively. Conclusions Zepto PPC has the potential to generate extremely high thermal energy, according to an in vitro study. However, the temperature rise of the Zepto capsulotomy can be minimized by using OVDs.