No abstract available.
Dermatitis* ; Streptococcus pyogenes

Although malignant melanoma usually occurs after the diagnosis of vitiligo-like depigmentation, the latter is rarely followed by the former. We herein report on such a case in which recognition of the vitiligo-like depigmentation preceded diagnosing the metastatic melanoma by several months. A 56-year-old woman had first developed vitiligo-like depigmentation on the forehead, eyelids, neck and back 18 months previously and thereafter she detected a hard mass in the left axilla 2 months previously. Based on the histologic findings, the axillary mass was diagnosed as metastatic melanoma. To evaluate the primary tumor focus, thorough examinations that included PET-CT, bone scan and sigmoidoscopy were performed, but we couldn`t find any the original primary tumor. Our case suggests that the vitiligo-like depigmentation could be a sign that heralds metastatic melanoma.
Axilla ; Eyelids ; Female ; Forehead ; Humans ; Melanoma ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Sigmoidoscopy

PURPOSE: To compare the corneal first surface higher-order aberrations (HOAs) of normal subjects and patients with dry eye using KR-1W(R) (Topcon Corp., Tokyo, Japan) and Pentacam(R) HR (Oculus Inc., Dutenhofen, Germany). We analyzed the relationship between the aberrations and the diagnostic parameters of dry eye. METHODS: We evaluated anterior corneal HOAs in 71 normal eyes and 71 dry eyes using KR-1W(R) and Pentacam(R). Dry eye patients were examined for fluorescein staining, tear break-up time (TBUT), and Schirmer I test. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was used for assessment of subjective symptoms in dry eye patients. RESULTS: HOAs measured by both instruments were greater in the dry eye group than in the control group, although HOAs using KR-1W(R) only achieved statistical significance. The anterior corneal HOAs measured by the 2 instruments were significantly correlated with superficial punctate keratitis. Moreover, TBUT and the Shirmer I test negatively correlated, and OSDI positively correlated, with anterior corneal HOAs. CONCLUSIONS: The HOAs in patients with dry eye were significantly different from controls and tended to increase with disease severity. KR-1W(R) might be more useful than Pentacam(R) to detect tear film instabilities.
Fluorescein ; Humans ; Keratitis ; Tears

PURPOSE: Several articles have been published on the successful elimination of iridolenticular synechiae after cataract extraction with a neodymium YAG laser (Nd:YAG laser) and surgical synechiolysis during cataract surgery, but the indications recommending which method is proper to use for specific kinds of adhesions have not yet been established. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 106 patients who had undergone Nd:YAG laser or surgical synechiolysis between January 2002 and December 2007 in our clinic. Laser synechiolysis was performed in the synechiae not exceeding the extent of one clock hour and reaching only to the iris sphincter, whereas surgical synechiolysis was performed in other diffuse and/or thick synechiae. RESULTS: Surgical synechiolysis was performed in 93 eyes, and YAG laser synechiolysis was done in 21 eyes. Increases in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were observed in 61 eyes (53.51%). Intraocular pressure spikes after the procedure were present in only 4 eyes, and all of them were transient except for 1 eye, which needed additional glaucoma eyedrops. CONCLUSIONS: With suitable indications, laser or surgical synechiolysis can be performed safely, and a small rise in visual acuity may also be expected.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cataract Extraction ; Female ; Humans ; Iris Diseases/*surgery ; Lasers, Solid-State/*therapeutic use ; Lens Capsule, Crystalline/*surgery ; Lens Diseases/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/*surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Tissue Adhesions/surgery ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and long-term prognosis of pars plana vitrectomy and Ahmed valve implantation for intractable glaucoma comorbid with retinal disorders. METHODS: A retrospective review of 34 eyes of 30 patients receiving pars plana vitrectomy and Ahmed valve implantation for intractable glaucoma comorbid with retinal disorders was performed. Preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual acuity, the usage of IOP-lowering medications and postoperative complications, and surgical success rate were evaluated. RESULTS: IOP and the number of IOP-lowering medications showed a significant decrease after pars plana vitrectomy and Ahmed valve implantation, as compared to before surgery (p < 0.001). The success rate was 88%, 88%, 84% and 85% postoperatively at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and 3 years respectively. The mean follow up period was 24.21 +/- 14.99 months. Complications related to surgery included hyphema in 2 eyes, recurrent corneal epithelial erosion and defect in 2 eyes, corneal ulcer in 2 eyes and vitreous hemorrhage in 4 eyes. Visual acuity improved in 14 eyes (41.1%), no changes in 13 eyes (38.2%) and decreased in 7 eyes (20.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Pars plana vitrectomy and Ahmed valve implantation for intractable glaucoma comorbid with retinal disorders show long-term efficacy in lowering IOP.
Corneal Ulcer ; Eye ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Hyphema ; Intraocular Pressure ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Retinaldehyde ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

PURPOSE : The 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases(17HSDs) play an important role in the regulation of the physiologic activities of sex steroid hormones. The predominance of 17HSD type 1 in the malignant breast tissue could increase the estrogen-dependent proliferation and stimulate the cancer progression. On the other hand, the oxidative 17HSD type 2 may protect the normal breast cells from an excessive estradiol effect. To identify the role of 17HSD type 2 in the carcinogenesis of breast cancer, we investigate the mutation of 17HSD type 2 in 35 breast cancers. METHODS : We analyzed the entire coding region of the 17 HSD type 2 gene for detection of the somatic mutations in 35 invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast by polymerase chain reaction, single strand conformation polymorphism, and DNA sequencing. RESULTS : We found one missense mutation in exon 6(2.86%). It revealed the CCT-->CTT (Pro-->Leu) transition type at codon 262 in exon 6. CONCLUSION : In present study, we found only a mutation of the 17beta -HSD type 2 gene in breast cancer and could not demonstrate the direct relationship between the mutation of the 17beta -HSD type 2 gene and the development of breast cancer. These results suggest that the mutation of 17HSD type 2 doesn? play a major role in the development of breast cancer.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Clinical Coding ; Codon ; Estradiol ; Exons ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Hand ; Mutation, Missense ; Oxidoreductases* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

PURPOSE : The 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases(17HSDs) play an important role in the regulation of the physiologic activities of sex steroid hormones. The predominance of 17HSD type 1 in the malignant breast tissue could increase the estrogen-dependent proliferation and stimulate the cancer progression. On the other hand, the oxidative 17HSD type 2 may protect the normal breast cells from an excessive estradiol effect. To identify the role of 17HSD type 2 in the carcinogenesis of breast cancer, we investigate the mutation of 17HSD type 2 in 35 breast cancers. METHODS : We analyzed the entire coding region of the 17 HSD type 2 gene for detection of the somatic mutations in 35 invasive ductal carcinomas of the breast by polymerase chain reaction, single strand conformation polymorphism, and DNA sequencing. RESULTS : We found one missense mutation in exon 6(2.86%). It revealed the CCT-->CTT (Pro-->Leu) transition type at codon 262 in exon 6. CONCLUSION : In present study, we found only a mutation of the 17beta -HSD type 2 gene in breast cancer and could not demonstrate the direct relationship between the mutation of the 17beta -HSD type 2 gene and the development of breast cancer. These results suggest that the mutation of 17HSD type 2 doesn? play a major role in the development of breast cancer.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Clinical Coding ; Codon ; Estradiol ; Exons ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Hand ; Mutation, Missense ; Oxidoreductases* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

No abstract available.
Dopamine* ; Injections, Spinal*

No abstract available.
Dopamine* ; Injections, Spinal*

PURPOSE: This study was done to provide basic data for sexual abuse prevention programs for elementary school students by comparing stated needs of the students and teachers. METHODS: The participants were 4th, 5th, and 6th grade elementary school students and elementary school teachers. Data from questionnaires completed by 1,372 students and 162 teachers were analyzed. RESULTS: 1) The mean scores for felt need for sexual abuse prevention education was relatively high in both of the elementary school student and teacher groups but there was a significant difference between the two groups (t=15.28, p<.001). 2) In the elementary school students, there was a significant difference in the degree of need for sexual abuse prevention education according to father's educational level (t=2.89, p=.004), experience of sexual education (t=3.11, p=.006), and recognition of the necessity of sexual abuse education (t=7.56, p<.001). 3) In the elementary school teachers, there was no significant difference in the degree of need for sexual abuse prevention education according to the participants' socio-demographic and sexual abuse prevention education related characteristics. CONCLUSION: When planning educational programs on child sexual abuse prevention, needs of the elementary school students should be considered. Then, the educational program at school would be more effective.
Child ; Child Abuse ; Child Abuse, Sexual ; Education* ; Humans ; Sex Offenses*