The refractive state of 321 children (160 boys and 161 girls) of a rural primary school were examined under the cycloplegic condition with 5% homatropine. The results obtained as folIow; 1. Among 321 children, the refractive errors was revealed in 28.0% and emmetropia was revealed in 72.0%. 2. As to the distribution of refractive errors, hyperopic eyes were 39.5% and myopic eyes were 60.6%. 3. The refractive errors were observed more frequently in girls (15.4%) than those of boys (12.5%). 4. There was a tendency that hyperopic refractive error was gradually decreased from 8 years of age as the age increased. However, myopic refractive error was incerased gradually from 8 years of age. 5. At the age of 11 highest incidence of the refractive errors was observed (22.8%). 6. The degree of most of refractive errors(98.4%) were revealed less than 3 diopters. 7. As to the type of astigmatism, with the rule was 51.4% and against rule was 42.9%.
Astigmatism ; Child* ; Emmetropia ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Refractive Errors

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis is the physiological changes to maintain homeostasis. Dysregulation of apoptosis can lead to pathophysiologic changes and, especially, delayed apoptosis of eosinophils has been considered to be an important mechanism to contribute to eosinophilia. In atopic dermatitis, peripheral blood eosinophils increase in severe condition and decrease with therapeutic improvement. Cyclosporin A (CsA), potent immunosupressant, has been reported to be effective in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of cyclosporin A on apoptosis of IL-5 stimulated eosinophils by analysing the cell cycle. METHOD: Peripheral eosinoiphils were isolated from 21 patients with atopic disease using Ficoll-Hypaque gradient and purified by negative selection technique using MACS (Miltenyi Biotec, Auburn, CA) system. The samples were divided into 3 groups: Group A, cultured without IL-5; Group B, cultured in the presence of recombinant human IL-5 (0.1 ng/ml); and group C cultured in the presence of recombinant human IL-5 (0.1ng/ml) and cyclosporin A (10U/ml). Eosinophil apoptosis were measured by FACScan (Becton Dickinson Co., Saujose, USA). RESULTS: At 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours without IL-5 (group A), 35.87+/-.75%, 52.01+/-.73%, and 69.31+/-.56%, respectively of eosinophils showed apoptosis, whereas 27.71+/-.81%, 43.69+/-.72%, and 57.32+/-.21% of the cells showed apoptosis in the presence of 0.1ng/ml human recombinant IL-5 without cyclosporin A (group B). However the addition of cyclosporin A (10U/ml) significantly enhanced the eosinophil apoptosis to 41.79+/-.92%, 59.69+/-.91%, and 80.10+/-.21%, respectively (group C). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that apoptotic death of eosinophils stimulated by IL-5, is augmented with cylosporin A, and that apoptosis of eosinophil of peripheral blood in atopic dermatitis may be due to account for the inhibitory effect of cyclosporin A on eosinophilia.
Apoptosis* ; Cell Cycle ; Cyclosporine* ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Interleukin-5*

BACKGROUND: Since the management of atopic dermatitis often needs prolonged administration of medication, the laboratory index reflecting disease severity is necessary for optimal treatment for this disease. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate peripheral eosinophil counts, serum total IgE, eosinophilic cationic protein(ECP), IL-4 and soluble E-selectin as severity indices or disease marker. METHOD: A total of 21 patients with atopic dermatitis and 21 normal controls were evaluated for the symptoms and signs according to SCORAD index and measured for peripheral eosinophil counts, serum total IgE, ECP, IL-4 and soluble E-selectin. RESULTS: Peripheral eosinophil counts, serum total IgE, ECP and soluble E-selectin levels of patients with atopic dermatitis were significantly increased compared with those of normal control(p<0.05). Moreover, serum ECP and soluble E-selectin correlated with SCORAD score. Serum IL-4 levels of patients with atopic dermatitis were slightly increased compared with those of normal control but not statistically significant(p>0.05). CONCLUSION: ECP and soluble E-selectin were good serum marker reflecting the severity of atopic dermatitis.
Biomarkers ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; E-Selectin* ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein* ; Eosinophils* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Interleukin-4*

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of ganglionic cysts related to thescapula. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed 15 ganglionic cysts diagnosed by MR imaging in 14pa-tients who subsequently underwent surgical excision (n=8) or needle aspiration (n=1). Five other patients whoselesion-related symptoms were not too severe to manage underwent conservative treatment. We ana-lyzed MR findingswith regard to the size, shape and presence of internal septa, the location and signal intensity of the lesion,and associated findings such as change of rotator cuff muscle, labral tear and bone erosion. We also evaluated thepresence of tear of rotator cuff tendon, tendinosis, and subacromial enthesophyte. RESULTS: The diameter ofganglionic cysts was 0.5 -5.5 (mean, 2.8)cm, and they were round (n=2), ovoid (n=6), or elongated (n=7). Whereinternal septa were present (n=13), cysts were lobulated. Lesions were located in both scapular and spinoglenoidnotches (n=9), only in the scapular notch (n=2), only in the spinoglenoid notch (n=2) or within the bone (n=2). Ineleven cases they were very close to the superoposterior aspect of the glenoid labrum (n=11). On T1-weightedimages, all lesions were seen to be iso- or hypointense to mus-cle, while on T2-weighted images, they werehyperintense, resembling joint fluid (n=14), except in one patient with hemorrhage. Associated findings were edemaof the infraspinatus muscle (n=4), pressure erosion of the scapular neck (n=1), and labral tear (n=1). A tornsupraspinatus tendon (n=2), supraspinatus tendinosis(n=3), and subacromial enthesophyte (n=2) were also present.CONCLUSION: MR imaging was helpful in diagnosing ganglionic cysts and detecting associated lesions.
Ganglion Cysts* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Joints ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neck ; Needles ; Retrospective Studies ; Rotator Cuff ; Scapula* ; Tendinopathy ; Tendons