No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Fatty Liver*

Dynamic strategy(DS) is a fast threshold algorithm for the Octopus 101 perimeter. To analyze the efficiency of DS, we compared the results of visual field measurements using DS and conventional normal strategy(NS). Subjects comprised 60 eyes of 30 normal individuals in the 3rd decade who has not experienced perimetry before. Program G2 was performed on all subjects at random and enough intervals between the two tests(more than 1 hour). Mean testing time was 1047.63+/-219.38 seconds in NS and 684.98+/-130.95 seconds in DS. Testing time reduction rate was 32.69+/-14.35% on average. Mean defect(MD) was 2.80+/-1.02dB, 2.15+/-0.94dB in the two strategies, respectively. Corrected loss variance(CLV) was 1.31+/-0.50dB2 and 1.03+/-0.61dB2 in each test. There was significant difference in MD and CLV statistically(P<0.01). Mean short term fluctuation(SF) was 1.38+/-0.49dB and 1.45+/-0.50 dB; mean reliability factor(RF) was 2.05+/-2.73% and 1.98+/-2.80% in the two strategies, respectively. There was no significant difference in SF and RF statistically(P>0.01). It took less time with DS than NS in Octopus 101 perimeter, but further study will be needed for clinical application of DS.
Octopodiformes* ; Visual Field Tests ; Visual Fields

No abstract available.
Colon, Ascending* ; Polymyositis*

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of subconjunctival retention of perfluoropropane gas on the success rates in trabeculectomized rabbits. METHODS: Fifthteen white rabbits were trabeculectomized by fornix-base conjunctival flap, full thickness sclerotomy and iridectomy. The right eye was control and the left eye was injected with 0.2 ml perfluoropropane gas(C3F8) into subconjunctival space through the 30 guage long needle. Each rabbit was examined for bleb morphology under slit-lamp microscope and measured for intraocular pressure by tonopen at preoperative, postoperative 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks. The results were analyzed by Wilcoxon rank sum test in SAS release 6.12 program. RESULTS: Mean gas retention time was 15+/-2 days. Intraocular pressure measured at postoerpative 2 weeks was statistically significantly lower in gas injected group than control group. At postoperative 2 weeks, fibrovascularization was more prominent in control group than gas injected group. Fibroblast proliferation and collagen tissue formation were more prominent in control group than gas injected group at postoperative 6 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Subconjunctival perfluoropropane gas(C3F8) bubbles, via "spacer" effect, aid the maintenance of filtering blebs in the early postoperative period. This technique may be useful in augmenting or salvaging blebs at high risk of failure.
Blister ; Collagen ; Fibroblasts ; Intraocular Pressure ; Iridectomy ; Needles ; Postoperative Period ; Rabbits* ; Trabeculectomy*

Extracellular single unit recordings were made from the ventral posteromedial thalamic (VPM) nociceptive neurons to determine mechanoreceptive field (RF) and response properties. A total of 44 VPM thalamic nociceptive neurons were isolated from rats anesthetized with urethane-chloralose. Based on responses to various mechanical stimuli including touch, pressure and pinch applied to the RF, 32 of 44 neurons were classified as nociceptive specific (NS) neuron. The other 12 neurons, classified as wide dynamic range (WDR), showed a graded response to increasingly intense stimuli, with a maximum discharge to noxious pinch. The VPM nociceptive neurons showed various spontaneous activity ranged from 0-6 Hz. They were located throughout the VPM, and had an contralateral RF including mainly intraoral (and perioral) regions. The RF size was relatively small, and very few neurons had a receptive field involving 3 trigeminal divisions. The NS neurons activated only by pressure and pinch stimuli had high mechanical thresholds compared to WDR neurons activated also by touch stimuli. The VPM nociceptive neurons were tested with suprathershold graded mechanical stimuli. Most of 21 NS and 8 WDR neurons showed a progressive increase in number of spikes as mechanical stimulus intensity was increased. In some neurons, the responses reached a peak before the highest intensity was given. Application of 5 mM CoCl2 (10 microl) solution to the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis did not produce any significant changes in the spontaneous activity, RF size, mechanical threshold, and response to suprathresold mechanical stimuli of 9 VPM nociceptive neurons tested. 17 of 33 VPM nociceptive neurons responded to noxious heat as well as noxious mechanical stimuli applied to their RF. Application of the mustard oil, a small-fiber excitant and inflammatory irritant, to the right maxillary first molar tooth pulp induced an immediate but short-lasting neuronal discharges upto approximately 4 min in 16 of 42 VPM nociceptive neurons. These results suggest that VPM thalamic nucleus may contribute to the sensory discriminative aspect of orofacial nociception.
Animals ; Hot Temperature ; Molar ; Mustard Plant ; Neurons ; Nociception ; Nociceptors ; Plant Oils ; Rats ; Tooth

PURPOSE: Preamplifier and amplifier are very important parts for developing a portable counting or imaging gamma probe. They can be used for analyzing pulses containing energy and position information for the emitted radiations. The commercial Nuclear Instrument Modules (NIMs) can be used for processing these pulses. However, it may be improper to use NIMs in developing a portable gamma probe, because of its size and high price. The purpose of this study was to develop both preamplifier and amplifier and measure their performance characteristics. MATERIALS and Methodes: The preamplifier and amplifier were designed as a charge sensitive device and a capacitor resistor-rsistor capacitor (CR-RC) electronic circuit, respectively, and they were mounted on a print circuit board (PCB). We acquired and analyzed energy spectra for Tc-99m and Cs-137 using both PCB and NIMs. Multichannel analyzer (Accuspec/A, Caberra Industries Inc., Meriden Connecticut, U.S.A) and scintillation detectors (EP-047 (Bicron Saint-Gobain/Norton Industrial EP-047 (Ceramics Co., Ohio, U.S.A) with 2"x2" NaI (T1) crystal and R1535 (Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Electron Tube Center, Shizuoka-ken, Japan) with 1"x1"NaI (T1) crystal) were used for acquiring the energy spectra. RESULTS: Using PCB, energy resolutions or EP-047 detectors for Tc-99m and Cs-137 were 12.92% and 5.01%, respectively, whereas R1535 showed 13.75% and 5.19% of energy resolution. Using the NIM devices, energy resolutions of EP-047 detector for Tc-99m and Cs-137 were measured as 14.6% and 7.58%, respectively. However, reliable energy spectrum of R1535 detector could not be acquired, since its photomultiplier tube (PMT) requires a specific type of preamplifier. CONCLUSION: We developed a special preamplifier and amplifier suitable for a small sized gamma probe that showed good energy resolutions independent of PMT types. The RESULTS indicate that the PCB can be used in developing both counting and imaging gamma probe.
Connecticut ; Ohio ; Optics and Photonics

The double pylorus-is a fistulous communication between the gastric antrum and duodenal bulb, usually extending from the lesser curvature of the stomach to the superior aspect of the duodenal bulb, and seperated by septum or bridge of normal mucosa. Although its incidence is rare, reports concerning double pylorus are increasing with the recent development of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and more awareness of this abnormality. We recently experienced two cases of double pylorus; an aquired one in 72-year old male who had an another opening with healing ulcer at the superior aspect of the original pyloric channel, central erosion with clubbing and fusion of mucosal folds at the greater curvature of the lower body and a 3 x 4 cm sized ulcer at the lesser curvature of the lower body, and the other congenital one in 53-year old male who had an another opening at the superior aspect of the original pyloric channel with histologically intact muscularis mucosa in the pyloric septum with no evidence of chronic peptic ulcer scarring. We report here two cases of double pylorus, one-acquired, and the other-congenital, with a review of the literature.
Aged ; Cicatrix ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; Peptic Ulcer ; Pyloric Antrum ; Pylorus ; Stomach ; Stomach Ulcer ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: To analyze high-resolution CT findings(HRCT) of pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomtosis(PLC) and to correlated the HRCT findings with the results of pulmonary function test(PFT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In Twenty eight patients with radiologically and clinically proved PLC, we retrospectively reviewed HRCT scans and PFT(N=12). PLC was classified by extent and distribution of metastatic nodules and interstitial thickenings on HRCT and the findings were correlated with the results of PFT and impairment of PFT according to the degree of FEVl(forced expiratory volume in one second). RESULTS: On the basis of distribution of PLC, HRCT findings showed 20 cases of peripheral type, 3 cases of central type, and 5 cases of mixed type. In the patients with PFT diffuse type was 10 cases and localized type was 2 cases. In diffuse types, the restrictive pattern occurred in 7 cases (p<0.05) and in localized types, restrictive pattern occurred in 2 cases. Marked impairment of vital capacity was shown as restrictive pattern in 7 cases all of which were diffuse type and were consisted of peripheral type in 4 cases and mixed type in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: HRCT findings of lymphangitic carcinomatosis correlated well the type and degree of impairment of PFT. Especially in diffuse type of lymphangitic carcinomatosis, the result of pulmonary function test were prominent restrictive patterns. Marked impairment of pulmonary function occurred in patients with diffuse type and types with peripheral interstitial thickening(periphral and mixed types).
Carcinoma* ; Humans ; Respiratory Function Tests* ; Retrospective Studies ; Vital Capacity

To explore the relationship between economic status and food and nutrient intake patterns, the 2001 National Health and Nutrition Survey result was analyzed. Dietary intake data of 6,978 Korean adults of 20 years and older who participated in the 2001 National Health and Nutrition Survey were used along with their demographic data. Economic status of the subjects was classified into the following 4 groups based on the self-reported average monthly income of household with reference to the minimum monthly living expenses (MLE) in 2001: low<100% MLE < or = middle<200% MLE < or = high<300% MLE < or = higher. Individuals in the higher income class had significantly higher mean intake for most of the nutrients including energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat, calcium, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C, and a higher percentage of energy intake from fat. In addition, they consumed more animal foods including meats, eggs, fish/shellfish, milk/dairy products and fats. On the other hand, the mean intakes of individuals in the lower economic class for calcium, vitamin A, and riboflavin were lower than 75% of RDAs. And, there was a predominant difference in contribution of fat to total energy intake among the groups of different economic status. These results showed that household income is an important factor influencing the food and nutrient intake patterns of the Korean adult population. Although individuals at different age classes may respond differently to a change in economic status, developing and implementing nutrition policy and intervention programs for those nutritionally vulnerable groups should consider the economic status as an important factor to customize and differentiate the content of the program.
Adult* ; Animals ; Ascorbic Acid ; Calcium ; Eggs ; Energy Intake ; Family Characteristics ; Fats ; Hand ; Humans ; Meat ; Niacin ; Nutrition Policy ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Ovum ; Riboflavin ; Vitamin A

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We compared the accuracy in the diagnosis of hepatic masses such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), metastasis and hemangioma using enhancing pattern alone with using additional findings, and determined whether the additional findings could improve the diagnostic accuracy. METHODS/MATERIALS: Triphasic spiral CT images were retrospectively analyzed in 83 cases of hepatic lesions,' 40 HCC, 21 metastases, and 22 hemangiomas. Three observers made the diagnosis first by the enhancement pattern of the mass alone, and then, by the whole information. The diagnosis of a lesion was considered correct if the lesion was correctly categorized by at least two observers. Diagnostic accuracies of two sessions were compared with McNemar test. RESULTS: Using enhancing patterns alone, 31/40 HCC (78%), 8/21 metastases (38%), 21/22 hemangiomas (95%) were correctly diagnosed. The frequency of correct diagnosis was significantly improved when all images with additional findings were used: 36/40 (90%) HCC, 20/21 (95%) metastases, 22/22 (100%) hemangiomas (P=0.00006). Metastasis showed most prominent and statistically significant improvement in the diagnostic accuracy (P=0.0004). The number of correct diagnoses for HCC increased without statistical significance (P=0.17). However, the images with additional findings did not significantly contribute to the diagnosis of hemangiomas. The additional finidngs those led to correct diagnosis of metastases were multiple mass (7 cases), coexistence of primary malignancy (6 cases), and metastasis to other organ (1 case). The findings of liver cirrhosis were helpful to diagnose HCC correctly in 5 cases. CONCLUSION: The enhancing pattems of tumors were important in the diagnosis of hepatic masses in spiral CT. However, the additional finidngs were also helpful for the diagnosis of hepatic masses especially for the masses with atypical enhancement pattern. In metastases, the additional findings such as multiple masses or detection of primary malignant focus were useful to diagnose correctly.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Diagnosis ; Hemangioma ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Spiral Computed*