PURPOSE: To investigate the results of intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for the treatment of chronic uveitic cystoid macular edema (CME). METHODS: Six patients, 8 eyes with refractory uveitic CME were included in the study. Four milligrams of TA was injected into the vitreous cavity. The clinical outcome and complication were reviewed, retrospectively. RESULTS: Ten intravitreal injections of TA were performed, and the mean follow-up duration was 10.4 months (6~19 months). Foveal retinal thickness diminished and CME improved anatomically in 7 (88%) eyes. Visual acuity improved by 1.75 lines of the Snellen chart in 6 (75%) eyes, and the time to improvement varied from 1 week to 8 months. Inflammation decreased in all eyes and there was symptomatic improvement in 6 (75%) eyes. CME recurred in 3 (38%) eyes at 4 to 16 weeks and re-treatments were performed in 2 eyes. Intraocular pressure increased in 3 eyes and one eye needed additional filtration surgery. Cataract worsened in one eye. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal triamcinolone injection effectively induced anatomic and symptomatic resolution, and decreased inflammation in uveitic CME patients. Nevertheless, the visual improvement was modest, and consideration for recurrence and complication is necessary.
Cataract ; Filtering Surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intraocular Pressure ; Intravitreal Injections ; Macular Edema* ; Recurrence ; Retinaldehyde ; Retrospective Studies ; Triamcinolone Acetonide ; Triamcinolone* ; Uveitis ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of a multi-herbal formula known as WSY-1075 in the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental chronic bacterial prostatitis was induced in 32 Wistar rats by instillation of a bacterial suspension (Escherichia coli, 10⁸ colony-forming units [CFU]/mL) into the prostatic urethra. After the induction of prostatitis, the rats were randomly divided into one of 4 treatment groups: control (n=8), ciprofloxacin (n=8), WSY-1075 (400 mg/kg) (n=8), and WSY-1075 (400 mg/kg)+ciprofloxacin (n=8). After 4 weeks of treatment, microbiological data from prostate tissue cultures, level of prostatic pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], interleukin [IL]-6, and IL-8), anti-oxidant effects (superoxide dismutase [SOD]), and histological findings were noted. RESULTS: The WSY-1075, ciprofloxacin, and WSY-1075+ciprofloxacin groups showed fewer CFUs in prostate tissue cultures than the control group. The WSY-1075, ciprofloxacin and WSY-1075+ciprofloxacin groups showed statistically significantly lower levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 than the control group. SOD levels in the WSY-1075, ciprofloxacin and WSY-1075+ciprofloxacin groups were significantly higher than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that WSY-1075 had anti-microbial effects, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-oxidative effects in a chronic bacterial prostatitis rat model. We expect the WSY-1075 may be useful for the clinical treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Ciprofloxacin ; Cytokines ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Interleukins ; Models, Animal* ; Necrosis ; Prostate ; Prostatitis* ; Rats* ; Rats, Wistar ; Stem Cells ; Urethra

BACKGROUND: It is known that prolonged QRS duration (QRSd) in a 12-lead ECG is associated with decreased left ventricular (LV) systolic function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Development of LV systolic dysfunction and prolongation of paced QRSd are often observed in patients with permanent pacemakers (PPM). However, the significance of prolonged paced QRSd in patients with PPM is not determined. METHODS: We studied sixty-four patients (male:female=27:37, mean age=57.6+/-15.4 years) who had been on PPM (DDD: 15, VDD: 18, VVI: 31) for more than one year (mean: 68.2+/-44.0 months). LV function was normal before implantation of PPM. The 12-lead ECG and echocardiography were recorded prior to implantation, immediately after implantation and at the last follow-up. RESULTS: Paced QRSd did not significantly increase during the follow-up period. LVEF at the last follow-up (LVEF-FU) was significantly lower than that prior to implantation (59.3+/-11.5% vs. 64.9+/-10.1%, p<0.001). Eleven (17.2%) patients developed LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF<50%) during the follow-up period. Paced QRSd at the last follow-up and diabetes mellitus were correlated with LV systolic dysfunction (R2=0.302, p<0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between the paced QRSd and LVEF-FU (r=-0.451, p<0.01) and between change of paced QRSd and that of LVEF during follow-up (r=-0.419, p<0.01). LVEF-FU was reduced more in patients with paced QRSd >or=180 ms than in patients without (44.4+/-12.0% vs. 61.7+/-9.5%, p<0.001). In predicting LV systolic dysfunction with the paced QRSd (cut-off value: 180 ms), sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 60.0%, 88.7%, 50.0% and 99.2%, respectively. The paced QRSd at the last follow-up was significantly correlated with paced QRSd immediately after implantation (r=0.542, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: LV systolic dysfunction after long-term right ventricular apical pacing may develop. Prolongation of paced QRSd 180 ms during follow-up may suggest development of LV systolic dysfunction. New technologies to minimize prolongation of paced QRSd should be investigated to prevent LV systolic dysfunction after permanent ventricular pacing.
Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left* ; Ventricular Function

A clinicopathological study based on stages, Gleason's method and srvival rates was carried out in 149 cases of prostatic carcinoma treated at Pusan National University Hospital and five participating hospitals. 1. The distribution of each stage was:17 (11.4%) in stage A, 37 (24.8%) in stage B, 22 (14.8%) in stage C, and 73 cases (49.0%) in stage D. Of Gleason's score between primary and secondary pattern, the uniform cases were in 32%, the cases of 1 step differences were in 59 %, the cases of 2 step differences were in 9%, and none in more than 2 step differences. 2. The score sum of Gleason's method was inclined to be higher as the stage became higher. 3. The survival rates were declining as stages excluding cases between stage A and B became higher. As the Gleason's score (primary and secondary pattern, Gleason's sum, Gleason's category) became higher, the survival rates tended to decline. 4. Comparing the death rates of our cases to that of VACURG study of USA and that of Harada of Japan according to Gleason's score, there were no statistical differences (a>0.05). The prognosis of prostatic carcinoma depends on the histological factor, which in dictates the significance of Gleason's method. Also the authors believe that a common ground of basis such as Gleason's method is useful in comparative studies.
Busan ; Japan ; Mortality ; Prognosis* ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: To compare the variable inflammatory parameters of acute pyelonephritis patients treated with inpatient therapy at 13 hospitals, according to the age and gender distributions. MATERIALS AND MATHODS: A total of 3,544 medical records of patients with confirmed acute pyelonephritis, and admitted to hospital between January 2000 and December 2005, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 43.2+/-16.2 years old, with a male:female ratio of 1 : 5.1. The average duration of hospital admission was 7.9+/-5.3 days. Underlying diseases were found in 23.0% (749/3,252 patient), largely due to diabetes (35.1%). Radiological abnormal findings were found in 13.7%. The leukocyte count, ratio of segmented form, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), c-reactive protein, pyuria, positive blood culture, positive urine culture were 11,014+/-5,778/mm(3), 74.8+/-14.5%, 44.0+/-32.0 mm/hr, 12.4+/-9.3mg/dl, 83.9%, 10.5% and 46.7%, respectively. E. coli grow in 79% of the urine culture positive patients. In a comparison of 3 age groups (<40 years, 40-60 years, >61 years), the elderly patients had a greater number of underlying diseases and more pathogens in cultured blood. When divided into males and females, the elderly male patients had more pathogen in cultured urine, but contrary to the male patients, the elderly female patients had elevated leukocyte count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Also, the old patient group had more resistance to ampicillin when they had E. coli as the uropathogen (p=0.021). Patients with higher ESR required longer hospital admission periods. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that variable clinical parameters of acute pyelonephritis patients treated with inpatient therapy differed according to both gender and age group in Korea. Therefore, these factors should be taken into account in the treatment plan.
Aged ; Ampicillin ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Female ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Medical Records ; Pyelonephritis* ; Pyuria ; Retrospective Studies