BACKGROUND: Smoking increases the risk of respiratory, cardiac diseases and cancer. This study is to ascertain the relationship between passive smoking, the modes of residence, its location and the immunoglobulin values as well as the eosinophil counts in relation to child patients suffering from bronchial or cardiac asthma. METHODS: The research was conducted at a general hospital with cooperation of 242 patients who had been hospitalized 1991 through 1995. We compared the average values of immunoglobulin between the groups of exposed and non-exposed to smoking by T-test. A same work for residential modes was done by T-tests, while the data regarding the residing locality were processed by ANOVA. RESULTS: Each values of TEC, IgE, IgA, and IgM in both groups has been analysed but spelling no significant differences. The group residing in apartments showed lower value of IgM than those of flats. CONCLUSIONS: The reason the IgM value of apartments is lower than that of flats is due to the difference of living quarters. This signifies the modes of residence may as well affect the IgE value.
Asthma ; Child* ; Eosinophils ; Heart Diseases ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution*

Extracellular matrix component is degraded by enzymes of thematrix metalloproteinases(MMPs). MMPs are produced by both hemopoietic and structural cells. Increased activity of MMP-3 in periodontium is strongly associated with inflammatory periodontal disease. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of tetracycline analogues on the activity of MMP-3. Tetracycline-HCl, doxycycline-HCl, and minocycline-HCl were applied to huamn gingival fibroblasts at various concentrations of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200microgram/ml, and 1 hour later IL-1beta of 25ng/ml was added. After incubation for 24 hours the cells were reacted by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using proMMP-3 ELISA kit. The optical density was measured by microwell plate reader at 450nm. The relative activity of MMP-3 was calculated as the percentage of the optical density of each experimental group to that of the control. The difference of the optical density and the relative activity of MMP-3 between the experimental groups and the control wasstatistically analyzed by one way ANOVA. The results were as follows: 1. Tetracycline-HCl showed the tendency to inhibit the activity of MMP-3 at the concentration lower than 25 microgram/ml, but increased significantly the activity of MMP-3 at the concentration of 200microgram/ml(p<0.05). 2. Doxycycline-HCl inhibited significantly the activity of MMP-3 at the concentration lower than 100microgram/ml, but increased significantly the activity of MMP-3 at the concentration of 200microgram/ml(p<0.05). 3. Minocycline-HCl inhibited the activity of MMP-3 at the concentration in the range of 10 to 200microgram/ml. Within the limit of the present study, the above results suggested that the low concentration of tetracycline analogues could inhibit the activity of MMP-3 induced by IL-1beta in human gingival fibroblasts.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontium ; Tetracycline*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of C1 lateral mass screw and C2 pedicle screw with polyaxial screw and rod system supplemented with miniplate for interlaminar fusion to treat various atlantoaxial instabilities. METHODS: After posterior atlantoaxial fixation with lateral mass screw in the atlas and pedicle screw in the axis, we used 2 miniplates to fixate interlaminar iliac bone graft instead of sublaminar wiring. We performed this procedure in thirteen patients who had atlantoaxial instabilities and retrospectively evaluated the bone fusion rate and complications. RESULTS: By using this method, we have achieved excellent bone fusion comparing with the result of other methods without any complications related to this procedure. CONCLUSION: C1 lateral mass screw and C2 pedicle screw with polyaxial screw and rod system supplemented with miniplate for interlaminar fusion may be an efficient alternative method to treat various atlantoaxial instabilities.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Humans ; Twins*

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms*

Adult ; Connective Tissue ; Extremities ; Head ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; Humans ; Maxilla ; Neck ; Radiotherapy ; Sarcoma

Purpose: To compare the long-term changes in surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) in patients who underwent 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and cataract surgery together with patients who underwent cataract surgery only. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed SIA changes for 1 year after surgery in patients who received only cataract surgery using phacoemulsification (group 1) and patients who underwent 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and cataract surgery together (group 2). Flat keratometry (K1), steep keratometry (K2), and astigmatism axis were measured with automatic keratometry before and after the surgery. Vector analysis was used to calculate SIA at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. We then examined whether the SIA values at each time point were different between the two groups. Results: A total of 86 eyes were included in this study (group 1, n = 45; group 2, n = 41). The mean SIA values calculated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery in group 1 were 0.83 ± 0.37, 0.69 ± 0.39, 0.60 ± 0.33, and 0.59 ± 0.33, respectively. In group 2, the values were 0.82 ± 0.47, 0.69 ± 0.38, 0.62 ± 0.28, and 0.61 ± 0.30, respectively. Over time, SIA decreased in both groups (all p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean SIA between the two groups at each follow-up time point after surgery (p = 0.296, p = 0.728, p = 0.361, and p = 0.356, respectively). Conclusions When 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and cataract surgery were performed together, the astigmatism change caused by surgery did not show a significant difference compared with that of the group who received cataract surgery only. Thus, 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy may not significantly affect corneal astigmatism.

Purpose: To compare the long-term changes in surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) in patients who underwent 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and cataract surgery together with patients who underwent cataract surgery only. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed SIA changes for 1 year after surgery in patients who received only cataract surgery using phacoemulsification (group 1) and patients who underwent 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and cataract surgery together (group 2). Flat keratometry (K1), steep keratometry (K2), and astigmatism axis were measured with automatic keratometry before and after the surgery. Vector analysis was used to calculate SIA at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. We then examined whether the SIA values at each time point were different between the two groups. Results: A total of 86 eyes were included in this study (group 1, n = 45; group 2, n = 41). The mean SIA values calculated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery in group 1 were 0.83 ± 0.37, 0.69 ± 0.39, 0.60 ± 0.33, and 0.59 ± 0.33, respectively. In group 2, the values were 0.82 ± 0.47, 0.69 ± 0.38, 0.62 ± 0.28, and 0.61 ± 0.30, respectively. Over time, SIA decreased in both groups (all p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean SIA between the two groups at each follow-up time point after surgery (p = 0.296, p = 0.728, p = 0.361, and p = 0.356, respectively). Conclusions When 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy and cataract surgery were performed together, the astigmatism change caused by surgery did not show a significant difference compared with that of the group who received cataract surgery only. Thus, 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy may not significantly affect corneal astigmatism.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of written information on the compliance with proper contact lens (CL) care. METHODS: The patients prescribed CLs by a single ophthalmologist in a clinic from January 2008 to August 2009 were enrolled in the present study. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, the verbal and written information (VWI) group and verbal information (VI) group. The patients in the VWI group received verbal and written information on proper CL care and the VI group received the same information only verbally. Patients who were followed-up more than 2 weeks after CL wear were asked 10 questions regarding CL care and statistical analysis was performed for each question on CL care. The Mann Whitney U-test was used for comparison between the 2 groups and Pearson's test was used for the correlation analyses. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were included in this study. Ten patients were assigned to the VWI group, and 13 patients to the VI group. The most desirable score for the CL care was 100 points. The VWI group showed 85.2 +/- 13.4 points and the VI group showed 71.5 +/- 10.1 points (p = 0.030, Mann-Whitney U-test). Of the 10 questions, daily replacement of the lens care solution and the use of tap water showed significant correlation with the discomfort induced by the CL and rinsing process before CL insertion showed significant correlation with the CL intolerance (p = 0.008, p = 0.004 and p = 0.015, respectively, Pearson's correlation test). CONCLUSIONS: The patients in the written information group showed better compliance for overall CL care. Adding the written information to the verbal explanation can enhance the patient's compliance with the proper CL care. Enhancing the compliance of CL care with written information can be expected to decrease the complications and improve the comfort of wearing CLs.
Compliance* ; Humans ; Water

OBJECTIVE: Subdural hematoma is one of complications of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt for hydrocephalus. We observed many cases of subdural hematoma on early post-operative computed tomography scan performed after VP shunt. We analyzed clinical features and factors related occurrence of subdural hematoma after VP shunt. METHODS: From January 2009 to December 2011, 104 patients underwent shunt surgery by programmable valve for hydrocephalus. The demographic factors, preoperative medications, causes of hydrocephalus, radiologic features, and operative findings were reviewed. We divided patients into two groups: occurrence of subdural hematoma (Group A) and no evidence of subdural hematoma (Group B). RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients (55.8%) had a subdural hematoma after VP shunt. Mean setting pressure of valve was higher in group B compared to group A. A setting pressure is the only factor related to occurrence of subdural hematoma. Five patients in Group A (8.6%) had symptoms of subdural hematoma. Though subdural hematoma was absorbed spontaneously or by increasing of setting pressure of valve in majority of Group A, five patients underwent additional operation. CONCLUSION: The setting pressure of valve was important to prevent and treat subdural hematoma after VP shunt for hydrocephalus.
Demography ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt