PURPOSE: To compare the outer retinal thickness in normal fellow eyes of patients with unilateral age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and normal control eyes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 60 patients with unilateral exudative AMD including polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and 60 normal controls. Spectralis optical coherence tomography was performed in the normal fellow eyes of patients with unilateral AMD and in the normal group. The thicknesses between the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) line and the cone outer segment tips (COST) line, between the COST line and the photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) line, and between the IS/OS line and the external limiting membrane (ELM) line were measured at the fovea in both groups. RESULTS: The thickness between the RPE and COST lines was 32.4 ± 3.0 µm in normal fellow eyes of patients with unilateral AMD and 35.3 ± 3.5 µm in the normal group (p < 0.001). Total retinal thickness, thicknesses between the COST and the IS/OS lines and the IS/OS and the ELM lines in fellow eyes were not significantly different from those of normal eyes (p = 0.126, 0.615, 0.874). There was no significant difference in total retinal thickness or each outer retinal thickness measured in normal fellow eyes between patients with neovascular AMD and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. CONCLUSIONS: The thickness between the RPE and the COST lines was thinner in the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral AMD than in the normal eyes. We suggest that less thickness between the RPE and COST lines might indicate a greater risk of AMD.
Choroid ; Humans ; Macular Degeneration* ; Medical Records ; Membranes ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; Retinaldehyde* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

We report a case of primary fibroepithelial polyp of the right midureter. The patient was a 41-year-old-woman, complaining of right flank pain. An excretory urogram revealed right hydronephrosis and a filling defect of the the right midureter. The filling defect was produced by a large fibroepithelial polyp that was diagnosed and removed by ureteroscopy without open surgery. Large fibroepithelial ureteral polyps are relatively rare and ureteroscopy is the gold standard of diagnosis for ureteral filling defect.
Adult ; Case Report ; *Endoscopy ; Female ; Human ; Polyps/pathology/*surgery ; Ureter/pathology/*surgery ; Ureteral Neoplasms/pathology/*surgery ; Ureteroscopy

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of light irradiation modes on polymerization shrinkage, degree of cure and microleakage of a composite resin. VIP(TM) (Bisco Dental Products, Schaumburg, IL, USA) and Optilux 501(TM) (Demetron/Kerr, Danbury, CT, USA) were used for curing Filtek(TM) Z-250 (3M Dental Products, St. Paul., MN, USA) composite resin using following irradiation modes: VIP(TM) (Bisco) 200mW/cm2 (V2), 400mW/cm2 (V4), 600mW/cm2 (V6), Pulse-delay (200 mW/cm2 3 seconds, 5 minutes wait, 600mW/cm2 30seconds, VPD) and Optilux 501(TM) (Demetron/Kerr) C-mode (OC), R-mode (OR). Linear polymerization shrinkage of the composite specimens were measured using Linometer (R&B, Daejeon, Korea) for 90 seconds for V2, V4, V6, OC, OR groups and for up to 363 seconds for VPD group (n=10, each). Degree of conversion was measured using FTIR spectrometer (IFS 120 HR, Bruker Karlsruhe, Germany) at the bottom surface of 2 mm thick composite specimens. V2, V4, V6, OC groups were measured separately at five irradiation times (5, 10, 20, 40, 60 seconds) and OR, VPD groups were measured in the above mentioned irradiation modes (n=5, each). Microhardness was measured using Digital microhardness tester (FM7, Future-Tech Co., Tokyo, Japan) at the top and bottom surfaces of 2mm thick composite specimens after exposure to the same irradiation modes as the test of degree of conversion(n=3, each). For the microleakage test, class V cavities were prepared on the distal surface of the ninety extracted human third molars. The cavities were restored with one of the following irradiation modes: V2/60 seconds, V4/40 seconds, V6/30 seconds, VPD, OC and OR. Microleakage was assessed by dye penetration along enamel and dentin margins of cavities. Mean polymerization shrinkage, mean degree of conversion and mean microhardness values for all groups at each time were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test, and using chi-square test for microleakage values. The results were as follows: 1. Polymerization shrinkage was increased with higher light intensity in groups using VIP(TM) (Bisco): the highest with 600mW/cm2, followed by Pulse-delay, 400mW/cm2 and 200mW/cm2 groups. The degree of polymerization shrinkage was higher with Continuous mode than with Ramp mode in groups using Optilux 501(TM) (Demetron/Kerr). 2. Degree of conversion and microhardness values were higher with higher light intensity. The final degree of conversion was in the range of 44.7 to 54.98% and the final microhardness value in the range of 34.10 to 56.30. 3. Microleakage was greater in dentin margin than in enamel margin. Higher light intensity showed more microleakage in dentin margin in groups using VIP(TM) (Bisco). The micoleakage was the lowest with Continuous mode in enamel margin and with Ramp mode in dentin margin when Optilux 501(TM)(Demetron/Kerr) was used.
Architectural Accessibility ; Dental Enamel ; Dentin ; Humans ; Light ; Molar, Third ; Polymerization ; Polymers ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Tokyo

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The simultaneous binaural bithermal caloric test is performed by stimulating both ear canals with the water of same temperature at the same time. There are some reports that the simultaneous binaural bithermal caloric test appears to be more sensitive than the alternative bithermal caloric test in detecting caloric vestibular abnormalities. However, it is not well known yet what effect simultaneous binaural bithermal caloric test has on the vestibulo-ocular reflex. We attempted to verify the clinical usefulness of the simultaneous binaural bithermal caloric test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Otoneurologically normal subjects (n=20) and patients who have complaints of dizziness (n=141) were tested. The regular bithermal caloric test was performed, using Life-Tech water irrigator and the water of temperatures 30degreesC and 44degreesC. The simultaneous binaural bithermal test was performed using Brooker-Grams closed loop irrigator with 27degreesC and 44degreesC water. The irrigation time was 40 seconds and nystagmus was detected for more than 120 seconds by electronystagmography. We divided the test response into six types with the reference value of canal paresis (CP) of the regular bithermal caloric test. RESULTS: The distribution of nystagmus type did not show regular pattern in the normal controls. The distribution of type I and II was 77.4% when CP was more than 25% in patients, 50.6% when CP was less than 25% in patients, and 42.5% in the normal group. The maximal velocity of slow component increased in the unilateral canal paresis patients (CP>25%), compared with the normal controls and no unilateral canal paresis patients (Cp<0.05). CONCLUSION: We observed that the simultaneous binaural bithermal caloric test has advantages of being less time-consuming and more comfortable. When the maximal velocity of slow component is more than 22.6 deg/sec with type I or II response, we could predict canal paresis; however, further studies should be made for abnormal response of simultaneous caloric response on the central nervous ststem.
Caloric Tests* ; Dizziness ; Ear Canal ; Electronystagmography ; Humans ; Paresis ; Reference Values ; Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular ; Water

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the AH-26 root canal sealer on the shear bond strength of composite resin to dentin. One hundred and forty four (144) extracted, sound human molars were used. After embedding in a cylindrical mold, the occlusal part of the anatomical crown was cut away and trimmed in order to create a flat dentin surface. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups; the AH-26 sealer was applied to the AH-26 group, and zinc-oxide eugenol (ZOE) paste was applied to the ZOE group. The dentin surface of the control group did not receive any sealer. A mount jig was placed against the surface of the teeth and the One-step dentin bonding agent was applied after acid etching. Charisma composite resin was packed into the mold and light cured. After polymerization, the alignment tube and mold were removed and the specimens were placed in distilled water at 37degrees C for twenty four hours. The shear bond strength was measured by an Instron testing machine. The data for each group were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's studentized rank test so as to make comparisons between the groups. The AH-26 group and the control group showed significantly higher shear bond strength than the ZOE group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the AH-26 group and the control one (p > 0.05). Under the conditions of this study, the AH-26 root canal sealer did not seem to affect the shear bond strength of the composite resin to dentin while the ZOE sealer did. Therefore, there may be no decrease in bond strength when the composite resin core is built up immediately after a canal filling with AH-26 as a root canal sealer.
Crowns ; Dental Pulp Cavity* ; Dentin* ; Eugenol ; Fungi ; Humans ; Molar ; Polymerization ; Polymers ; Tooth ; Water ; Zinc*

PURPOSE: This study was attemped to investigate the prognostic factors for the outcome of stage I renal cell carcinoma after radical nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty nine patients treated from 1984 to 1995 at Kyung Hee University Medical Center were studied retrospectively. All of them were diagnosed with pathologic Robson stage I renal cell carcinoma after radical nephrectomy. RESULTS: Males were affected three times more frequently than females. The tumor was detected on the right kidney in 15 cases, and on the left in 14. Average follow up period was 36.6 months, average disease free interval was 29.4 months and median survival was 30 months. During the follow up, 9 patients (31.0%) expired due to liver and lung metastasis at postoperate 21.6 months on average. Eleven patients (37.9%) developed distant metastasis in the follow up. There was no local recurrence of tumor. Seventeen patients were diagnosed incidentally without clinical symptoms. In our retrospective study for stage I renal cell carcinoma, there were no predictive prognostic parameters for predicting the outcome of patients, except for the incidental diagnosis of the tumor. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that incidental diagnosis of the tumor may be the most important prognostic factor for the outcome of stage I renal cell carcinoma. Although the patients were confirmed as stage I renal cell carcinoma pathologically after radical nephrectomy, close follow up is very important, because of high incidence of metastasis. We recommand that chest X-ray, abdominal ultrasonogram and bone scan should be checked at 3 months interval for postoperative one year even though stage I renal cell carcinoma.
Academic Medical Centers ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Liver ; Lung ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nephrectomy ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of thickness, filling methods and curing methods on the polymerization of dual cured core materials by means of microhardness test. Two dual cured core materials, MultiCore Flow (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein) and Bis-Core (Bisco Inc., Schaumburg, IL, USA) were used in this study. 2 mm (bulky filled), 4 mm (bulky filled), 6 mm (bulky and incrementally filled) and 8 mm (bulky and incrementally filled)-thickness specimens were prepared with light cure or self cure mode. After storage at 37degrees C for 24 hours, the Knoop hardness values (KHN) of top and bottom surfaces were measured and the microhardness ratio of top and bottom surfaces was calculated. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Scheffe multiple comparison test, with alpha = 0.05. The effect of thickness on the polymerization of dual cured composites showed material specific results. In 2, 4 and 6 mm groups, the KHN of two materials were not affected by thickness. However, in 8 mm group of MultiCore Flow, the KHN of the bottom surface was lower than those of other groups (p < 0.05). The effect of filling methods on the polymerization of dual cured composites was different by their thickness or materials. In 6 mm thickness, there was no significant difference between bulk and incremental filling groups. In 8 mm thickness, Bis-Core showed no significant difference between groups. However, in MultiCore Flow, the microhardness ratio of bulk filling group was lower than that of incremental filling group (p < 0.05). The effect of curing methods on the polymerization of dual cured composites showed material specific results. In Bis-Core, the KHN of dual cured group were higher than those of self cured group at both surfaces (p < 0.05). However, in MultiCore Flow, the results were not similar at both surfaces. At the top surface, dual cured group showed higher KHN than that of self cured group (p < 0.05). However, in the bottom surface, dual cured group showed lower value than that of self cured group (p < 0.05).
Acrylic Resins ; Composite Resins ; Hardness ; Light ; Methacrylates ; Polymerization ; Polymers ; Polyurethanes

PURPOSE: In this study, we developed a new software tool for the analysis of renal scintigraphy which can be modified more easily by a user who needs to study new clinical applications, and the appropriateness of the results from our program was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis tool was programmed with IDL5.2 and designed for use on a personal computer running Windows. For testing the developed tool and studying the appropriateness of the calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), 99mTc-DTPA was administered to 10 adults in normal condition. In order to study the appropriateness of the calculated mean transit time (MTT), 99mTc-DTPA and 99mTc-MAG3 were administered to 11 adults in normal condition and 22 kidneys were analyzed. All the images were acquired with ORBITOR, the Siemens gamma camera. RESULTS: With the developed tool, we could show dynamic renal images and time activity curve (TAC) in each ROI and calculate clinical parameters of renal function. The results calculated by the developed tool were not different statistically from the results obtained by the Siemens application program (Tmax: p=0.68, Relative Renal Function: p=1.0, GFR: p=0.25) and the developed program proved reasonable. The MTT calculation tool proved to be reasonable by the evaluation of the influence of hydration status on MTT. CONCLUSION: We have obtained reasonable clinical parameters for the evaluation of renal function with the software tool developed in this study. The developed tool could prove more practical than conventional, commercial programs.
Adult ; Gamma Cameras ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Kidney ; Microcomputers ; Nuclear Medicine* ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Running ; Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the morphometric characteristics of the pituitary gland and diaphragma sellae in Korean adults. METHODS: Using the 33 formaline fixed adult cadavers (23 male, 10 female), the measurements were taken at the diaphragma sellae and pituitary gland. The authors investigated the relationship between dura and structures surrounding pituitary gland, morphometric aspects of pituitary gland and stalk, and morphometric aspect of central opening of diaphragma sellae. RESULTS: The boundary between the lateral surface of pituitary gland and the medial wall of cavernous sinus was formed by the thin dural layer and pituitary capsule. The pituitary capsule adherent tightly to the pituitary gland was observed to continue from the diaphragma sellae. Mean width, length, and height of the pituitary gland were 14.3 +/- 2.1, 7.9 +/- 1.3, and 6.0 +/- 0.9 mm in anterior lobes, and 8.7 +/- 1.7, 2.9 +/- 1.1, and 5.8 +/- 1.0 mm in posterior lobes, respectively. Although all dimensions of anterior lobe in female were slightly larger than those in male, statistical significance was noted in only longitudinal dimension. The ratio of posterior lobe to the whole length of pituitary gland was about 27%. The mean thickness of pituitary stalk was 2 mm. The diaphragmal opening was 5 mm or more in 26 (78.8%) of 33 specimen. The opening was round in 60.6% of the specimen, and elliptical oriented in an anterior-posterior or transverse direction in 39.4%. CONCLUSION: These results provide the safe anatomical knowledge during the transsphenoidal surgery and may be helpful to access the possibility of the development of empty sella syndrome.
Adult ; Cadaver ; Cavernous Sinus ; Diaphragm ; Empty Sella Syndrome ; Female ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Male ; Pituitary Gland

PURPOSE: p53 gene is a well-known suppressor gene of tumor. And the p53 protein expression in immunohistochemical staining acts a role as a prognostic indicator in prostate and bladder tumor. However, the validity of p53 protein expression was not determined as an independent factor of prognosis in renal cell carcinoma(RCC). Furthermore, there were not enough studies about whether the expression of p53 protein plays a role as a prognostic indicator in RCC or not. Therefore, we evaluate the prognostic significance of p53 protein expression in RCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate the prognostic significance of p53 immunohistochemical staining in RCC, paraffin embedded specimens taken from 84 patients with RCC were studied from January 1982 to April 1997, retrospectively. In addition to the prognostic significance of p53 immunohistochemical staining, correlation between p53 immunohistochemical staining and pT category, nuclear grade, and histologic type was studied. RESULTS: The expression rate of p53 protein was 19.0%(16/84). The most important prognostic indicator of RCC was pT category(relative risk=2.19, p=0.007). And the second important prognostic indicator was the expression of p53 protein(relative risk=1.82, p=0.017). Nuclear grade had prognostic significance(p=0.027) but was not an independent prognostic indicator. The expression of p53 protein did not correlate with pT category, nuclear grade or histologic pattern. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that the expression of p53 protein in RCC is the second most important prognostic indicator. In conclusion p53 immunohistochemical staining can be used to predict the prognosis in patients with localized RCC after radical nephrectomy.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Genes, p53 ; Genes, Suppressor ; Humans ; Nephrectomy* ; Paraffin ; Prognosis ; Prostate ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms