The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of delayed epithelial healing(DEH) and the factors associated with it after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy(PRK) and to assess whether there are any difference in the clinical outcomes between the eyes of DEH group and normal epithelial healing(NEH) group. This retrospective study was done in 554 consecutive eyes which had eximer laser PRK(VISX 20/20B WisionKey system with central island removal program) by one surgeon(S.B.L) between September 1994 and April 1997 at Yeungnam University Medical Center. Mean reepithelializion time of all 554 eyes was 3.1+/-1.3 days. Delayed epithelial healing beyond postoperative 5 and 7 days after exicimer laser PRK were noted in 30 eyes(5.4%) and 8 eyes(1.4%) of all 554 eyes, respectively. Mean reepithelialization time of DEH group was 7.1 days(range 5~12 days). Occurrence of DEH after excimer laser PRK was not depending on sex, age, laterality, amount of attempted correction(-6D or -6D), type of procedure(PRK vs. PARK), use of Maclof, the order of operation(type eye vs. second eye) or the type of soft ware(version 3.20 vs. 4.01)(All: p>0.05). At 6 months after surgery, 16 eyes(64%) of total 25 eyes of DEH group achieved UCVA of 0.7 or better, and 14 eyes(56%) were within +/-1D of emmetropia. In the NEH group. 349 eyes(84.7%) were UCVA of 0.7 or better, and 365 eyes(88.4%) were within +/-1D of emmetropa. There was statistically significant decrease in the clinical outcome of DEH group being compared with NEH group(p<0.05) In conclusion, prompt management for complete epithelial wound healing should be done in the cases of delayed epithelial healing after excimer laser PRK because it can cause the decrease in clinical outcome. Further studies assessing the effects of numerous topical medications, preservatives and software on epithelial healing after exicimer laser PRK would be performed.
Academic Medical Centers ; Emmetropia ; Lasers, Excimer* ; Photorefractive Keratectomy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the long-term outcomes of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) to treat refractory rheumatic diseases. METHODS: Patients who underwent PBSCT for refractory rheumatic diseases at our institution between 2002 and 2005 were assessed for outcomes including treatment response, adverse events, damage accrual, and survival at 6 months and last follow-up. RESULTS: Eleven patients, including six with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), four with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and one with Still's disease were treated with PBSCT. In SLE patients, two showed complete response, two partial response, and two expired. One patient who expired responded completely two months after transplantation but discontinued treatment by choice and expired at six months due to an SLE flare. Long-term, two patients went into remission without organ damage, one patient went into remission with organ damage, and one had low disease activity with organ damage. Of the four patients with SSc, two showed a complete response, one a partial response, and there was one transplantation-related death at six months. At the last record notation, two remained in remission without relapse and one was lost to follow-up. The Still's disease patient partially responded at six months and was in remission at the last record notation. CONCLUSION: The ten-year survival rate was 70% with a 40% recurrence rate and 20% treatment-related mortality rate.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Mortality ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation* ; Recurrence ; Rheumatic Diseases* ; Scleroderma, Systemic ; Survival Rate

No abstract available.

We evaluated median value and lower confidence limit of total serum IgE level in each age group of 1,493 pure atopic dermatitis patient without respiratory atopic diseases. The results were as follows . 1. The median value of total serum IgE level of each age group in patients with atopic dermatitis distributed from 56.5 IU/@Ll to 660It.J/C. The distributions of the median value of total serum IgE levels of total patients with atopic dermatitis, total male patients with atopic dermatitis, and total female patients with atopic dermatitis were 185 IU/C, 220 IUj'@C, and 165 IUj'C. There was no statistical significance of median value of total serum IgE level between mole patients and female patients. 2. The 95% and 99% lower confidence limit(one-sided) of total serum IgE level of ea.ch age group in patients with atopic dermatitis distributed from 32.6 IU /n4 to 287IU/v4 and from 31 IU/m0 to 202 IU4. The 95% lower confidence limit (one-sided) of total serum IgE level of total patients with atopic dermatitis, tatal male patients with atopic dermatitis, and. total female patients with atopic dermatitis were 170 II.J/m0, 185 IU,m/l, and 133 IUm/l. The 99% lower confidence limit.(one-sided) of total serum IgE level of total patient with atopic dermatitis, total male patient with atopic dermatitis, and total female patients with atopic dermatitis were 165 IU/ml, 180 IU/ml, and 125 IU/ml.
Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Male

No abstract available.
Echocardiography* ; Heart*

No abstract available.
Hyperplasia* ; Islets of Langerhans* ; Nesidioblastosis*

No abstract available.
Interleukin-2* ; Interleukins* ; Killer Cells, Natural*

Injuries to the extensor mechanism include a wide range of injuries from minor one to massive defect. And the methods of treatment must be individualized according to the anatomical site, extent and chronicity of injuries. The extensor mechanism is a triangular thin sheet like structure, the function of which cannot be explained completely by the Tubiana's church-steeple like diagram. Authors think that the extensor mechanism should be repaired or reconstructed as a triangular sheet. The tension of the repaired or reconstructed tendon was estimated as good when the neutral extensions were obtained in all the MP, PIP and DIP joints after the completion of sutures. Also authors think that stable sutures are mandatory for the early rehabilitation postopoeratively. Seventy-five patients have been treated by the authors from 1982 to 1994. According to zonal classification, forty-two patients were injured in Zone I. 5 in Zone II, 21 in Zone III, 5 in Zone IV and 2 patients were unclassified due to massive defects of the extensor mechanism. Mostly bony mallet injuries were treated by open reduction and K-wire fixation. Acute tendinous mallet injuries were treated by conservative splinting and old injuries were treated by anatomical plication of the terminal extensor tendon. Old buttonhole deformities were generally treated by the central tendon plication. Massive defects were managed by skin coverage and reconstruction of the extensor mechanism by using a tendon graft which was tailored like a triangular thin sheet. With author's treatment principles, excellent or good results were obtained in about 87%. Consequently, authors emphasize that an anatomical repair or reconstruction is a keystone in the treatment of injuries to the extensor mechanism.
Classification ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Fingers ; Fluconazole ; Humans ; Joints ; Rehabilitation ; Skin ; Splints ; Sutures ; Tendons ; Transplants

Since they were introduced by Ward in 1923, periodontal dressing have been routinely used following the periodontal surgery to avoid pain, infection, desensitizing teeth, inhibiting food impaction of the surgical areas, and immobilizing injured areas. Recently, however, the value of periodontal dressings and their effects on periodontal wound healing have been questioned, several authors have been reported that the use of dressing has little influence on healing following periodontal surgical procedures. In addition, there is evidence that when good flap adaptation is achieved, the use of a periodontal dressing does not add to patient comfort nor promote healing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient postoperative pain experience and discomfort with and without the use of periodontal dressing following periodontal surgery. Twenty-eight patients, 11 male and 17 female. were selected for this study; The age range was 31 to 56, with an average of 40.2years. Patient selection was based on existence of two bilateral sites presenting similar periodontal involvement, as determined by clinical and radiographic assessment, and requiring comparable bilateral surgical procedures. Using a splitmouth dressing. one site received a periodontal dressing while the other site did not. Pain assessment was made according to a horizontal, rating scale(0-10). After at least a two - week period, the second surgical precedure was performed using the alternate postoperative treatment. At the conclusion of the trial, a self-administered questionnaire on postoperative experience was administered, and were asked of their preference of either, dressed or undressed. The results were as follows: 1. A similar trend for mean pain and discomfort scores as assessed by patients both dressed and saline-treated procedures was evident during 7-day postsurgical period. 2. Statistical analysis of differences between the dressed side and saline-treated side with respect to pain, discomfort and patient's experiences revealed that both treatment sides behaved similarly at any postoperative day(P>0.05). 3. Considering the patient's preference, on the basis of pain and discomfort experienced, 43% preferred the saline-mouthwash and 32% preferred the dressing, 25% showing no preference for either the dressing or the saline-mouthwash. There is evidence to support the use of a periodontal dressing in retention of an apically positioned flap by preventing coronal displacement, or its use to provide additional support to stabilize a free gingival graft. However, there will always be a use for periodontal dressing although routine use of dressings may decrease because of better surgical techniques and the use of antibacterial mouth rinses.
Bandages* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mouth ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; Patient Selection ; Periodontal Dressings ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tooth ; Transplants ; Wound Healing

Bicuspid ; Mandible ; Surface Properties ; Swine