PURPOSE: Keratomileusis was performed in rabbits to investigate the effects of corneal epithelium on the corneal stromal keratocyte apoptosis and the effect of human IL-1alpha and TNFalpha on apoptotic genes in human corneal stromal cells was evaluated. METHODS: Fifty six New Zealand white rabbits underwent corneal flap procedure and corneal epithelium was inserted between the corneal flap and underlying stroma. Keratocyte apoptosis was detected with the TUNEL assay. Gene array technique was used to evaluate changes in apoptosis gene in human stromal fibroblasts in response to human recombinant IL-1alpha and TNFalpha in vitro. RESULTS: Keratocyte apoptosis was significantly greater in group for flap with insertion of peripheral epithelium at 4 hours after surgery(p=0.0249). IL-1alpha or TNFalpha regulated the expression of several genes (insulin like growth factor, stress activated protein kinase, GTP binding protein, IGFBP4) up and down in human stromal fibroblasts in culture. CONCLUSIONS: We think that the differences in the stromal cell apoptosis after keratomileusis were due to stromal cell response to various factors of inserted corneal epithelium. We found various new apoptosis gene expression in cultured human keratocytes mediated by IL-1alpha and TNFalpha that were secreted in corneal epithelium. These genes likely trigger the apoptosis of keratocyte following epithelial insertion associated with corneal surgery.
Apoptosis* ; Epithelium ; Epithelium, Corneal* ; Fibroblasts ; Gene Expression ; GTP-Binding Proteins ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Protein Kinases ; Rabbits ; Stromal Cells ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: Heat-treated erythrocytes have been reported to be undergone fragmentation and microspherocytes transformation in vitro. However, the changes for enzyme activity of WBCs is not well known. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of temperature on function and morphology of WBCs and platelets. And we also defined the relationship between temperature-induced changes in morphology of the erythrocytes and cholesterol level. METHODS: Peripheral blood specimens collected from 55 normal healthy subjects were assayed. CBC and biochemical test for heat-treated specimens were performed. Osmotic fragility was tested and echinocytes were counted using phase contrast microscope. DNA was extracted from heated WBCs with Wizard genomic DNA extraction kit(Promega Corp, USA) and applied on 1.5% agarose gel. After heating, plasma proteins were fractionated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and compared according to changes of temperature. For the phagocytic function of WBCs, 1 x10(7) CFU/mL of gram-negative bacilli were incubated with specimens for 4 hours. Enzymatic activities for myeloperoxidase(MPO), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and esterase (EST) were confirmed with cytochemical reaction. RESULTS: After incubation at 50 degrees C for 5 min, platelets were counted as 2,978.2 x 10(9)/L and the number of eosinophil was 5.58 x 10(9)/L. And blood glucose level was decreased from 92.4 mg/dL to 59.1 mg/dL, whereas the value of cholesterol was changed as follows; 201.3 mg/dL at 0 sec, 174.6 mg/dL at 60 sec, 151.2 mg/dL at 90 sec, and 197.6 mg/dL at 5 min. In the same temperature, the proportion of echinocytes was 94.1% at 90 sec and decreased to 2.3% at 5 min. In osmotic fragility test, the hemolysis of RBCs began at 0.74% of NaCl and completed at 0.35% of NaCl. Phagocytic function of leukocytes was lost at 52 degrees C, and enzyme activity was lost at following temperature ; MPO at 70t, EST at 70 degrees C, and ALP at 56 degrees C, respectively. SDS-PAGE patterns reveal individual differences of protein at same temperature condition. Aggregating function of platelets were lost, after incubation at 43 degrees C for 5 min. In EDTA-anticoagulated blood, temperature-induced platelelet aggregation was intensified, while in heparinized blood, platelet aggregation was not induced by heat. CONCLUSION: For morphological transformation of erythrocytes in vitro, 50 degrees C is critical point of temperature to induce fragmentation and microspherocytes. Plasma cholesterol appears to play some role to formation of echinocytes induced by heat. MPO is more stable for high temperature than EST and ALP. And sensitivity of RBCs to temperature is considered to be different individually.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Blood Cells* ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Proteins ; Cholesterol ; DNA ; Electrophoresis ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Eosinophils ; Erythrocytes ; Heating ; Hemolysis ; Heparin ; Hot Temperature* ; Individuality ; Leukocytes ; Osmotic Fragility ; Plasma ; Platelet Aggregation ; Sepharose ; Sodium

We conducted a prospective study of 30 cases which had unilateral congenital blepharoptosis on visual acuity, refractive error, degree of ptosis, levator function, axial length and stereoacuity. A comparison of visual acuity between ptotic and healthy eyes revealed a reduction of visual acuity, but nearly same incidence of myopia in the ptotic eyes. But astigmatism in the ptotic eye was shown higher incidence with a borderline statistic significance(healthy eye 7/30, ptotic eye 14/30, p=0.056). Axial length for ptotic eyes was longer than healthy eye with statistic significance (22.80 +/- 1.46 vs 22.64 +/- 1.40mm, p=0.029). Strabismus was found in 4 cases; of them, 3 exotropia and remaining 1 hypertropia. Stereoacuity was more than 80 seconds except 7 cases which were amblyopic case. We concluded that in case of unilateral congenital ptosis, axial length was longer than healthy eye but incidence of myopia was nearly similar.
Astigmatism ; Blepharoptosis ; Exotropia ; Incidence ; Myopia ; Prospective Studies ; Refractive Errors* ; Strabismus ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: The overaction or underaction of oblique muscle is generally evaluated by grossly observingmaximal ductional eye movements, therefore, leading to various results among practioners. This study is to attain objective and accurate muscle function tests by digital videographic method and to verify its accuracy. METHODS: 15 patients with inferior oblique overaction and 7 patients with superior oblique underaction were involved. The subjects were examed by both the gross and digital method and the results were compared. RESULTS: The average difference between gross and videographic analysis was ranging from 0.01 to 1.18. A difference of less than 0.5 was found in 12 patients and 2 patients showed a difference of greater than 1.0. The linear regression curve between digital and gross analysis methods was y=0.93 x -0.10(x=gross method, y=videographic method). The coefficiency of variation to verify its reproducibility for measurements of total variability in 22 patients was 19.66% in gross method and 6.93% in videographic method. CONCLUSIONS: There didn't appear to be significant difference between the results by gross and digital method of analysis but, appeared to be significant difference between the coefficiency of variation by gross and digital method of analysis. Digital videographic measurement, therefore, may be an objective method of examining supraduction and infraduction in oblique muscle which requires further effort in its standardization and precision.
Eye Movements ; Humans ; Linear Models

During coronary artery bypass surgery, there are several discrete maneuvers that facilitates localization of the invisible left anterior descending coronary artery. In some cases with intramyocardial left anterior descending artery, long-term patency of a bypassed graft may depend on anastomosing the internal mammary artery graft to the more proximal and superficial site of the intramyocardial left anterior descending artery. We describe an easy technique to locate the proximal superficial left anterior descending artery with a distal coronary arteriotomy and retrograde insertion of a coronary probe.
Arteries* ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Vessels ; Mammary Arteries ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) regulate a wide range of biological functions including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis through paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. Accordingly, the present study analyzed polymorphisms of IGF genes and their impact on the prognosis for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). METHODS: Two hundred-thirteen consecutive patients with GISTs who underwent curative surgery from 5 medical centers were enrolled in the present study. The genomic DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tumor tissue, and four IGF-1 (+2995C/A, +533C/T, IVS2-16540A/G, Ex4-177G/C) and one IGF-2 (IVS1+1280A/G) gene polymorphisms were determined using a Sequenom MassARRAY system. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 18.4 months, the estimated 5-year relapse-free survival and overall survival rates were 69.9% and 86.7%, respectively. In a multivariate analysis including age, gender, primary site of disease, pathology, and risk stratification, no significant association was observed between the polymorphism of the IGF-1 and IGF-2 genes and survival. CONCLUSION: None of the five IGF-1 and IGF-2 gene polymorphisms investigated in this study was found to be an independent prognostic marker for Korean patients with surgically resected GIST. However, further studies on a larger scale are warranted to clarify the role of IGF-1 and IGF-2 gene polymorphisms as a prognostic biomarker for GIST patients.
Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; Multivariate Analysis ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Prognosis ; Somatomedins ; Survival Rate

EBV infection has been causally associated with incidence of many carcinomas. EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC) has been classified as a unique gastric carcinoma subset, suggesting EBV infection is related to the development of gastric cancer. In this study, general trends of EBVaGC studies for last half-decades were reviewed in several perspectives of clinical significance, virological importance and etiological interests. Throughout this comprehensive reviewing, new study trends of EBV and EBVaGC for next half-decades were suggested.
Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Herpesvirus 4, Human* ; Incidence ; Methylation ; Prognosis ; Stomach Neoplasms

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of testosterone deficiency and osteopenia on fracture healing using orchiectomized adult rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two 3 month old male rats were used. Animals were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 received sham operations and groups 2 and 3 were orchiectomized. At 4 weeks, right tibial shaft fractures were administered in all animals. Afterwards in group 3, testosterone was injected intra-peritoneally for 4 weeks. After 8 weeks of breeding, animals were sacrified for morphometrical, histopathological and biomechanical testing. RESULTS: No nonunion or delayed union was observed. Differences in tibial volumes and circumferences between the fracture site and the corresponding contralateral site were less in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1, with statistical significance. The yield strength and the trabecular area of the fractured tibiae were significantly lower in group 2, but group 3 and group 1 were similar. CONCLUSION: Even though there was no evidence of compromised fracture healing, both of the androgen deficiency and osteopenia induced by orchiectomy negatively influenced callus volume and strength. But osteopenia did not influece callus strength. The above results demonstrate the positive effect of testosterone injection on fracture healing.
Adult ; Animals ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic* ; Bony Callus ; Breeding ; Fracture Healing* ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Rats* ; Testosterone ; Tibia

Although nivolumab shows survival benefits for patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC), predictive biomarkers for nivolumab treatment in AGC remain unclear, especially in the case of peritoneal metastases. This study investigated the clinical significance of the prognostic nutrition index (PNI), reflecting the host nutritional status and immunity, in AGC patients undergoing nivolumab monotherapy. This study retrospectively analyzed 53 AGC patients who received nivolumab between October 2017 and February 2021. Among them, 35 patients with peritoneal metastases were reviewed to investigate the relationship between the PNI and oncological outcomes. The PNI was calculated as 10×serum albumin level (g/dl)+0.005×total lymphocyte count (per mm3 ) at the first administration of nivolumab. With a median follow-up duration of 2.0 (0.3-13.5) months, the median overall survival (OS) was 2.0 months. The overall response and disease-control rates were 0.0% and 20.0%, respectively. Among the 35 patients, 13 patients were identified as a high-PNI group. In the univariate analysis, the high-PNI group showed a significantly longer PFS and OS than the low-PNI group. In the multivariate analysis, the high-PNI was independently associated with a longer PFS (p=0.021) and OS (p=0.022). The PNI can be useful for predicting PFS and OS in AGC patients with peritoneal metastases. However, further studies are required to validate these results in AGC and new strategies are needed to improve the outcome for AGC patients with peritoneal metastases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This retrospective study evaluated the transplantation outcomes of patients with adult lymphoid malignancies who received chemotherapy-based conditioning with busulfan and fludarabine (BuFlu) and busulfan and cyclophosphamide (BuCy2). METHODS: Thirty-eight patients (34 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 4 with lymphoblastic lymphoma) were included in the current study. The conditioning regimen was BuCy2 for 14 patients and BuFlu for the remaining 24 patients. Eight and 13 patients were high risk disease in the BuCy2 and BuFlu groups, respectively. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 56.5% and 55.2% and that of extensive chronic GVHD 17.0% and 55.6% (p = 0.018) for the BuFlu and BuCy2 groups, respectively. The 3-year relapse rate was 27.8% and 31.4% and 3-year overall survival 34.3% and 46.8% for the BuFlu and BuCy2 groups, respectively. Treatment-related mortality (TRM) was significantly lower in the BuFlu group (16.9%) than in the BuCy2 group (57.1%, p = 0.010). In multivariate analyses, the BuFlu regimen was identified as an independent favorable risk factor for TRM (hazard ratio [HR], 0.036; p = 0.017) and extensive chronic GVHD (HR, 0.168; p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Our BuFlu regimen would appear to be an acceptable conditioning option for lymphoid malignancies, including high-risk diseases. It was safely administered with a lower TRM rate than BuCy2 conditioning.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Busulfan/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease/etiology ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myeloablative Agonists/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/drug therapy/mortality/surgery/*therapy ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; *Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects/mortality ; Time Factors ; Transplantation Conditioning/adverse effects/*methods/mortality ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome ; Vidarabine/adverse effects/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Young Adult