PURPOSE: To evaluate the in vivo corneal endothelial changes after intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin(R); Genentech Inc., San Francisco, California, USA) injection. METHODS: A total of 30 eyes of 28 patients who received intravitreal bevacizumab injections were included in the present study. Before injection and one and three months after injection, specular microscopy was performed to analyze the corneal endothelial cell changes. In order to compare the differences in the changes of corneal endothelial cells, the eyes were divided into two groups, a single injection group and a multiple injection group. RESULTS: The mean endothelial cell count decreased from 2,497.4 +/- 427.8 at baseline to 2,421.2 +/- 430.5 at one month and to 2,362.7 +/- 366.2 at three months after the injection in all patients. However, the change in endothelial cell count was not statistically significant. In addition, the postoperative change in endothelial cell count was more prominent in the multiple injection group than in the single injection group, although the difference was again not significant. No significant changes in preoperative or postoperative coefficients of variation for cell area or hexagonalities were observed in either patient group or within each group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant change in corneal endothelial cells after intravitreal bevacizumab injection. In addition, there was no significant difference in the changes in corneal endothelial cells according to the number of bevacizumab injections.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; California ; Cornea ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium ; Eye ; Humans ; Microscopy ; San Francisco ; Bevacizumab

Advances in prenatal diagnosis have led to the prenatal management of a variety of congenital diseases. Fetal surgery was born of clinical necessity. Observations by pediatric surgeons and neonatologists of neonates that were born with irreversible organ damage led to the conclusion that one possible approach to prevent this alteration of developmental physiology, was fetal surgical intervention. The demonstration in animal models that the correction of an anatomical defect could reverse the associated pathophysiology led to the first systematic application of fetal surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, in the early 1980s . There has been a dramatic improvement in our ability to diagnose, select and safely operate on an expanding number of fetal anomalies. Many fetal interventions remain investigational but for a number of conditions randomized trials have established the role of in utero surgery, making fetal surgery a clinical reality in a number of fetal therapy programs. Although prenatal stem cell and gene therapy await clinical application, they offer tremendous potential for the treatment of many genetic disorders. Here we review the prenatal evaluation, current status and future potential of various prenatal operative approaches, such as open hysterotomy, fetoscopy, and percutaneous, including tissue engineering, and prenatal cellular and genetic therapy.
California ; Fetal Therapies ; Fetoscopy ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Hysterotomy ; Infant, Newborn ; Models, Animal ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; San Francisco ; Stem Cells ; Tissue Engineering

Incidence was derived from published data from 2 population-based registries - the Philippine Cancer Society - Manila Cancer Registry and the Department of Health-Rizal Cancer Registry, which covered 8.5 million residents (1990 census) of a 1,674 square kilometer area that comprises Metro Manila and Rizal province. Thirteen registry clerks actively sought new cancer cases in 96 hospitals and 30 Civil Registry offices. Both registries are members of the International Association of Cancer Registries and received continuing professional assistance from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). For the period 1988-1992 the combined age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) was 9.9 per 100,000 for male stomach cancer (ranked fifth, 4.5% of all male cancers), and 5.9 per 100,000 among females (ranked ninth, 2.8% of all female cancers). Stomach cancer among Philippine residents had lower ASRs and age-specific rates compared to Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Singaporean Chinese and Vietnamese populations. Age-specific rates among Filipinos reached 10 per 100,000 or higher at age-group 50-54 years among males, and 55-59 years among females. Significant differences in incidence were observed in only few cities and municipalities. There were little differences in ASRs between 2 populations during 3 time periods between 1980-1992, in both males and females with an indication of a slight decrease. Incidence of male Philippine migrants to Hawaii, San Francisco and Los Angeles were comparable to those of white residents covered by the Manila registry. Among females, stomach cancer incidence of Philippine residents and Filipina migrants to Hawaii were similar, and were slightly higher than those of white residents in Hawaii and both migrants and white residents in San Francisco and Los Angeles

Human ; Male ; Female ; San Francisco ; Los Angeles ; Transients And Migrants ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Hawaii ; Philippines ; Censuses ; Registries ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Research

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin(R); Genetech, San Francisco, CA, USA) injections of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: Thirty patients (30 eyes) who underwent PPV for treatment of PDR and received a preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab injection of 1.25 mg were retrospectively analyzed. The study group (group 1, 30 patients, 30 eyes) was compared with a control group (group 2, 29 patients, 30 eyes and matched with the study group for preoperative parameters) who underwent PPV without preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab injection. RESULTS: In both groups, visual acuity improved but there was no statistical significance. Intraoperative vitreous hemorrhage occurred in 14 eyes (46.7%) from group 1 and 11 eyes (36.7%) from group 2. There was no statistical significance of intraoperative bleeding occurrence (p=0.3). Postoperative vitreous hemorrhage occurred in 4 eyes from group 1 and 14 eyes from group 2. The group 1 had a lower incidence of postoperative hemorrhage than group 2 (p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab injection appears effective in decreasing early postoperative vitreous hemorrhage and maybe technically helpful in PPV for PDR.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Eye ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; Retrospective Studies ; San Francisco ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreous Hemorrhage ; Bevacizumab

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin(R); Genetech, San Francisco, CA, USA) injections of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: Thirty patients (30 eyes) who underwent PPV for treatment of PDR and received a preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab injection of 1.25 mg were retrospectively analyzed. The study group (group 1, 30 patients, 30 eyes) was compared with a control group (group 2, 29 patients, 30 eyes and matched with the study group for preoperative parameters) who underwent PPV without preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab injection. RESULTS: In both groups, visual acuity improved but there was no statistical significance. Intraoperative vitreous hemorrhage occurred in 14 eyes (46.7%) from group 1 and 11 eyes (36.7%) from group 2. There was no statistical significance of intraoperative bleeding occurrence (p=0.3). Postoperative vitreous hemorrhage occurred in 4 eyes from group 1 and 14 eyes from group 2. The group 1 had a lower incidence of postoperative hemorrhage than group 2 (p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab injection appears effective in decreasing early postoperative vitreous hemorrhage and maybe technically helpful in PPV for PDR.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Eye ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; Retrospective Studies ; San Francisco ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreous Hemorrhage ; Bevacizumab

PURPOSE: To report on 2 cases of Eales' disease that were successfully regressed with laser photocoagulation and intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin; Genetech, Inc, San Francisco, California, USA) injection. CASE SUMMARY: Two male patients (30 years and, 40 years of age,) with a history of recurrent vitreous hemorrhage were diagnosed with Eales' disease. The 2 patients had peripheral retina neovascularization and active phlebitis in fundus fluorescein angiography. No other findings were observed in their eyes in the general examination. Scatter laser photocoagulation and intravitreal bevacizumab injection were performed. After 1 month follow-up, neovascularization completely regressed. There was no complication or recurrent vitreous hemorrhage at the 1 year follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection, as combination treatment of laser photocoagulation, may be helpful in the regression of neovascularization due to Eales' disease.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; California ; Eye ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Light Coagulation ; Male ; Phlebitis ; Retina ; San Francisco ; Vitreous Hemorrhage ; Bevacizumab

PURPOSE: To evaluate the validity of the University of California San Francisco Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment-S score (CAPRA-S score), a biochemical indicator of recurrent prostate cancer that uses histopathologic data, in Korean prostate cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 203 prostate cancer patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between February 1997 and November 2010 were observed for longer than 6 months. The CAPRA-S score of 134 patients for whom records were available for preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA), pathologic specimen Gleason score, surgical margin, seminal vesicle invasion, extracapsular extension, and lymph node invasion were calculated. Biochemical recurrence was defined as repetitive measurement of PSA > or =0.2 ng/mL at least 6 months after surgery with at least a 4-week interval. The Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used for the statistical testing. RESULTS: The CAPRA-S scores were divided into nine groups. The 5-year disease-free survival rate was reduced as the CAPRA-S score increased compared with the group with a CAPRA-S score of 0-1. The CAPRA-S score in this study was more sensitive to biochemical recurrence than was the CAPRA score conducted at this institution (CAPRA-S concordance index, 0.776; CAPRA concordance index, 0.728). CONCLUSIONS: The CAPRA-S score is judged to be a useful tool for predicting the disease-free survival rate of Korean prostate cancer patients and is thought to assist in establishing postoperative management.
California ; Disease-Free Survival ; Goats ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Grading ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Recurrence ; San Francisco ; Seminal Vesicles

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) is recommended in populations with anticipated prevalence > or =2%. This study surveyed HBV screening and vaccination practices of Asian American primary care providers (PCPs). METHODS: Approximately 15,000 PCPs with Asian surnames in the New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, and Chicago areas were invited to participate in a web-based survey. Asian American PCPs with > or =25% Asian patients in their practice were eligible. RESULTS: Of 430 (2.9%) survey respondents, 217 completed the survey. Greater than 50% followed > or =200 Asian patients. Although 95% of PCPs claimed to have screened patients for HBV, 41% estimated that < or =25% of their adult Asian patients had ever been screened, and 50% did not routinely screen all Asian patients. In a multivariable analysis, the proportion of Asian patients in the practice, provider geographic origin and the number of liver cancers diagnosed in the preceding 12 months were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of screening for HBV. Over 80% of respondents reported that < or =50% of their adult Asian patients had received the HBV vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Screening and vaccination for HBV in Asian American patients is inadequate. Measures to improve HBV knowledge and care by primary-care physicians are critically needed.
Adult ; Asian Americans ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Chicago ; Data Collection ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Los Angeles ; Mass Screening ; New York ; Prevalence ; Primary Health Care ; San Francisco ; Vaccination

PURPOSE: To report a case of severe vaso-occlusive retinopathy with significant decrease of bilateral visual acuity as the first manifestation associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). CASE SUMMARY: A 23-year-old man was referred to our clinic with bilateral visual impairment of hand motion (HH). Fundus examination revealed severe retinal hemorrhage, cotton-wool patch, occlusive retinal vasculitis with vascular engorgement, and diffuse retinal edema in both eyes. Because of a malar rash on both cheeks, generalized edema was observed on initial examination with hypertension, azotemia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia, The patient was diagnosed with SLE, strongly positive to antinuclear antibody (ANA), and received an intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) in the left eye in addition to hemodialysis, transfusion, systemic corticosteroid and immunosuppressant treatment due to lupus nephritis. Eighteen months later, the retinal edema, cotton-wool patch and hemorrhage resolved, leaving epiretinal membrane without traction in his left eye and diffuse degeneration of the right eye. Final visual acuity was HM in the right eye and 20/100 in the left eye. CONCLUSIONS: Vaso-occlusive retinopathy in SLE can result in permanent visual impairment. In a patient with a high possibility of SLE retinopathy, a periodic fundus examination and intensive management of systemic disease should be considered.
Anemia ; Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Azotemia ; Cheek ; Edema ; Epiretinal Membrane ; Exanthema ; Eye ; Hand ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intravitreal Injections ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Lupus Nephritis ; Papilledema ; Renal Dialysis ; Retinal Hemorrhage ; Retinal Vasculitis ; San Francisco ; Thrombocytopenia ; Traction ; Vision Disorders ; Visual Acuity ; Bevacizumab

PURPOSE: Syncope in a common condition that is typically benign but is occasionally associated with mortality. We conducted a retrospective validation of the San Francisco Syncope Rule (SFSR) for use in identifying emergency department (ED) syncope patients with short-term serious outcomes. METHODS: We studied 131 syncope patients who were admitted to or visited the out-patient department within 1 month of an ED visit related to syncope from January to December 2010. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria as defined in the SFSR derivation were evaluated for 5 previously derived predictor variables: abnormal electrocardiography (ECG), shortness of breath, hematocrit <30%, triage systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg, and a history of congestive heart failure. Predetermined outcome measures as defined by the SFSR included death, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, pulmonary embolism, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, significant hemorrhage, or any condition causing or likely to cause a return ED visit and hospitalization, or related event. RESULTS: The patient group consisted of 63 males and 68 females with an average age of 56 years. 35(26.7%) patients met the predetermined criteria for serious outcome. 10 of 35(28.6%) patients with a serious outcome were not identified as high risk using the rule. The rule performance for predicting serious outcomes included a sensitivity of 71.4% (95% confidence interval (CI), 56% to 86%), specificity of 69.8% (95% confidence interval (CI), 69% to 70%) and positive predictive value of 47.3%. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective validation study in Korea, the SFSR performed with comparable specificity but with significantly lower sensitivity than reported in the original study. Implementing the rule would significantly increase admission rates.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Blood Pressure ; Dyspnea ; Electrocardiography ; Emergencies ; Female ; Heart Failure ; Hematocrit ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Outpatients ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Retrospective Studies ; San Francisco ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stroke ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Syncope ; Triage