No abstract available.
Facial Nerve* ; Fetus*

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the role of free fatty acids on the ischemic myocardium, influences of various free fatty acids upon transmembrane action potential and ATP-sensitive K+(KATP) channel activity were examined in the ventricular myocardium and single cardiac myocytes. METHODS: KATP channel activities were measured in the enzymatically (collagenase) isolated single rat ventricular cardiac myocytes by the method of the excised inside-out and the cell-attached patch clamp, and transmembrane action potentials were recorded using the conventional 3M-KCl microelectode techniques in the rat ventricular myocardium. RESULTS: Free fatty acids [FFAs; arachidonic acid (AA), linoleic acid (LA) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)] reduced the KATP channel activity in a dose-dependent manner in the inside-out patch, and 50%-inhibition concentrations (IC50) were 88 +/- 11.2, 49 +/- 12.5, and 188 +/- 17.4 M respectively. Both frequency of channel opening and the mean open-burst duration were markedly decreased, but the amplitude of single channel currents were not changed by the FFAs. AA (50 micrometer) and LPC (50 micrometer) did not affect the dinitrophenol (DNP, 50 micrometer)-induced KATP channel activity, whereas LA (50 micrometer) had a tendency to reduce the activity. The channel inhibition effects by 10 micrometer AA in the inside-out patch were significantly augmented by diclofenac (10 micrometer), but was not changed by nordihydroguaiaretic acid. FFAs never stimulated KATP channel activity, even in the inside-out patch where KATP channel activity reduced in the presence of internal ATP (100 micrometer). Time for 90% repolarization (APD90) significantly increased during superfusion of the FFAs, to 22 (50 micrometer AA), 24 (50 micrometer LA), and 18 (50 micrometer LPC) % from those of the contol at the time of 10 min superfusion, but the other action potential characteristics were not changed by the FFAs. AA (10 micrometer) attenuated cromakalim (10 micrometer)-induced APD90 shortening effects. CONCLUSION: It was inferred that FFAs inhibit the KATP channel activity directly by themselves and/or indirectly by their metabolites in the rat ventricular cardiomyocytes, and therefore, duration of action potential lengthens to be a burden over the ischemic myocardium accounting for the injury of myocardium at the late stage of ischemia.
Action Potentials* ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; Animals ; Arachidonic Acid ; Cromakalim ; Diclofenac ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified* ; Ischemia ; Linoleic Acid ; Lysophosphatidylcholines ; Masoprocol ; Myocardium* ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; Potassium Channels* ; Potassium* ; Rats*

We have reported general principles of low vision aid prescription. But, we have not reported near vision aid prescription only. So, we analyse prescriptions of near low vision aid(diagnosis, type, magnification, etc) and present new near low vision aids that patients feels comfortable. We reviewed the clinical records of 100 patients who visited our low vision clinic more than twice and was prescribed near low vision aid for low vision. According to the data analysed, optic nerve atrophy was the most common etiology for low vision. Illuminated hand held magnifier(31.3%), telemicroscope with plus cap(27.7%), aspheric doublet sens(Clear Image II)(24.1%) were low vision aids most commonly used for near vision, but we knew new trend that newly prescribed aids(telemicroscope with plus cap, aspheric doublet lens) were prescribed more than illuminated hand held magnifier. After prescription of the low vision aid, visual acuity improved significantly (p<0.05). We examined contrast sensitivity test to measure the functional acuity and predict the visual prognosis after prescription of low visio aid.In addition,we studied the relationship between reading speed and the degree of contrast sensitivity and we knew that the relationship between degree of contrast sensitivity and reading speed was associated(p<0.05). Majority of patients(89%) were benefited from prescribed low vision aids.
Atrophy ; Audiovisual Aids ; Contrast Sensitivity ; Hand ; Humans ; Optic Nerve ; Prescriptions* ; Prognosis ; Vision, Low*

We conducted a retrospective study of 20 penetrating keratoplasty (19patients) for corneal opacity due to herpes simplex keratitis from January 1992 to February 1997 at National Medical Center. We exaniined f requeuey of graft rejection and recurrence of herpetic keratitis after penetrating keratoplasty. The patients were grouped into control & treatinent, group according to the use of antivirial drug after penetrating keratoplasty and we examined the difference in rate of recurrence between two groups. The follow-up period was from 8 months to 68 months, mean follow-up period being 29.6 months. Graft rejection was seen in 3 eyes out of 20 eyes (15.0%) and recurrence was developed 3 eyes out of 20 eyes (15.0%). Recurrent herpetic keratitis developed in 15.4%(2 of 13) of the eyes in control group and 14.3% (1 of 7) of the eyes in treatment group. There was no statistically significant difference in recurrence rate between two groups (p)0.05). Postoperative prophylactic antiviral treatment is not associated with decreased rate of herpes simplex keratitis recurrence.
Corneal Opacity ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graft Rejection ; Herpes Simplex* ; Humans ; Keratitis, Herpetic* ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

The authors have evaluated the effect of topically applied 1% cyclosporine A for four weeks after limbal allograft transplantation for ocular surface stability in severely ocular surface damaged rabbits. A total eleven severely damaged rabbits were subdivided into three groups of four limbal autograft (AUTO), three limbal allograft (ALLO), four limbal allograft with topical application of 1% cyclosporine A five times daily for four weeks (ALLO-C). We examined ocular surface smoothness, clarity, corneal vascularization before surgery and three months after surgery, and classified three grade (success, partial success, failure) according to result. In AUTO, three eyes were success, one eye was failure. In ALLO, one eye showed inferior graft detachment and one eye was success, two eyes were failire. In ALLO-C, no graft detachment detected and one eye was success, two eyes were partial success, one eye was failure. We knew that. ALLO-C show more effective ocular surface stability than ALLO. These result suggest ALLO-C can be used as alternative treatment of AUTO in ocular surface reconstruction. But, rnore study for duration and concentration of cyclosporin A will be need.
Allografts ; Autografts ; Cornea* ; Cyclosporine* ; Rabbits ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Atopic findings may be associated with severity of pneumonia in 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection, which could suggest a possible association between atopic findings and the severity of viral infections. Thus, we studied association between atopic findings and severity of disease in children with H1N1 influenza infection. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 74 children admitted in a single tertiary institute and confirmed as H1N1 patients by reverse transcriptase (RT) - polymerase chain reaction (PCR). They were divided into 2 groups according to the severity of pneumonia. We evaluated whether the atopic finding is risk factor between the two groups. RESULTS: Children with severe pneumonia had higher percentages of serum eosinophilia (88% vs 40%, P<0.001), asthma (65% vs 35%, P=0.011), allergic rhinitis (71% vs 40%, P=0.009), and IgE level (P=0.007). We found positive correlations between aeroallergen sensitizations and severity of pneumonia (82% vs 53%, P=0.007). CONCLUSION: Among patients with H1N1 pneumonia, asthma and atopic findings are risk factors for severity of pneumonia.
Asthma ; Child ; Eosinophilia ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Influenza, Human ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Risk Factors ; RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of CarnitilR (acetylcarnitine, Hanmi, Korea) therapy in idiopathic oligoasthenospermic men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four subfertile men with abnormal semen parameters were treated between March, 2003 and March, 2004 with 3 g of CarnitilR daily for 3 months. Changes in semen parameters were evaluated 3 months after this therapy. RESULTS: The mean age was 34.2 years and the mean follow-up duration was 3.7 months. In asthenospemic patients (n=28), semen analysis before and after CarnitilR treatment showed an increase in volume (2.64+/-1.65 ml vs. 3.10+/-1.60 ml), motility (35.1+/-17.7% vs. 45.9+/-20.4%) and viability (51.4+/-20.3% vs. 59.3+/-13.6%) respectively. In oligoasthenospermic patients (n=16), semen analysis before and after CarnitilR treatment showed an increase in sperm count (10.7+/-54.4 million/ml vs. 38.4+/-32.5 million/ml) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that in idiopathic oligoasthenospermic men the empirical medical therapy with acetylcarnitine may be considered as primary treatment.
Acetylcarnitine* ; Carnitine ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; Male ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count

The limb-body wall malformation complex is a sporadic congenital anomaly characterized by protean manifestations. The diagnosis is based upon the presence of at least two out of craniofacial anomaly, body wall defect, and limb abnormalities. We present a case of limb-body wall malformation complex. This case shows abdominal and pelvic wall defects with eventration of the viscera. It also shows an absence of right kidney, polycystic left kidney, absence of external genitalia and anus, and lower extremity abnormalities. The right lower extremity is absent and the deformed left leg shows malformed foot-like structure attached to the shin in addition to a normally positioned left foot. Our patient is the first case of complete absence of the external genitalia associated with limb-body wall malformation complex in Korean publications and the seventh in English publications.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to review 10 years' experience of cesarean hysterectomy at our hospital. METHODS: A retrospective study of 37 cases of cesarean hysterectomy between Jan, 1, 1989, and Dec, 31, 1998 was carried out and then method of delivery, maternal age, parity, indication for hysterectomy, amount of transfusion, factors associated with adhesive placenta, and complications of hysterectomy were analysed. RESULTS: The incidence of cesarean hysterectomy was 1 in 639 deliveries. Overall, 0.55% of cesarean sections and 0.02% of vaginal deliveries were followed by cesarean hysterectomy. The higher the age and the parity of patients, the higher incidence of cesarean hysterectomy(p=.000, respectively). The most common indication of cesarean hysterectomy was adhesive placenta(54%). Placenta previa and two more prior cesarean delivery were main risk factors for development of adhesive placenta (Odds ratio: 9.6, 6.1, respectively ; 95% Confidence interval: 2.1-43.5, 1.1-34.2, respectively). Although no maternal deaths occurred, maternal morbidity remained high, including need for transfusion in 29 patients(78%) intraoperative urologic injury in 10 patients(27%), and pulmonary congestion or edema in 7 patients(19%). CONCLUSION: As the incidence of cesarean section and its association with placenta previa and/or accreta continue to rise, we may encounter Cesarean hysterectomy with increasing frequency. Still, cesarean hystere ctomy remains a potentially life saving procedure with which every obstetrician must be familiar.
Adhesives ; Cesarean Section ; Edema ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy* ; Incidence ; Maternal Age ; Maternal Death ; Parity ; Placenta ; Placenta Previa ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Choroidal metastatic carcinoma is very rare. We recently experienced a case of lung adenocarcinoma which presented to the clinic with ocular symptoms. This 57-year-old Korean male patient visited the department of ophthalmology due to decreased visual acuity and pain of the left eye. On MRI scan, a nodule was attached to the retina of the left eyeball. On simple chest radiograph, a large amount of pleural effusion was noted in the left pleural cavity. Emergency enucleation of the left eyeball was done with an impression of malignant melanoma causing an intractable ocular pain. Grossly, the lesion in the eyeball was rising from the choroid. On histologic examination, tumor cells formed many irregular, small gland-like structures. The tumor cells showed alcian blue-positive mucin in the cytoplasm and glandular lumens and were positive for CEA. Chest CT scan was performed postoperatively and showed a huge mass in the left lower lobe and multiple nodular opacities in both lung fields. Bronchoscopic biopsy revealed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma similar to that of the eyeball.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Biopsy ; Choroid* ; Cytoplasm ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Melanoma ; Middle Aged ; Mucins ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Ophthalmology ; Pleural Cavity ; Pleural Effusion ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retina ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Visual Acuity