We assessed the accuracy of Goldmann or Schi-(phi)tz tonometric readings in the gas filled vitrectomized eyes. We performed pars plana vitrectomy with or without lensectomy in 8 rabbit eyes, and in 6 enucleated porcine eyes. Fluid-air exchange was done at the end of the procedure. Intraocular pressure was measured using Goldmann tonometer and Schi-(phi)tz tonometer and was compared with true pressure which was monitored by manometer with indwelling catheter in the intravitreal cavity. Goldmann and Schi-(phi)tz tonometry always showed lower presure value than manometeric one(P<0.05) and the discrepancy was greater at higher range of intraocular pressure. Between these two methods Goldmann tonometry was more accurate in the rabbit eye (P>0.05).
Catheters, Indwelling ; Intraocular Pressure* ; Manometry ; Reading ; Vitrectomy

To find out the optimal temperature of infusion fluid during vitrectomy, five rabbit eyes were infused with body temperature (37C) Balanced Salt Solution Plus (BSS Plus, Alcon Laboratories) and the other five eyes with room temperature (22C) BSS Plus. We recorded the ERGs before operation and 2 days, 7 days and 28 days after operation and each recording was plotted on paper with automatically measured amplitude. The a-wave amplitude, b-wave amplitude and b/a ratio showed no significant difference between 22C and 37C groups before operation and 2 days, 7 days and 28 days after operation. The a-wave amplitudes were decreased, b/a ratios were increased and b-wave amplitudes was not changed after operation in both 22C and 37C group. We suggest that there is no difference in the effects of infusion fluid to retinal function whether we use room temperature or body temperature infusion fluid.
Body Temperature ; Retina* ; Retinaldehyde ; Vitrectomy*

No abstract available.

In this study, the 4-week oral toxicity and anti-cancer activity of the hexane layer of Melia azedarach L. var. japonica Makino's bark extract were investigated. We carried out a hollow fiber (HF) assay and 28-day repeated toxicity study to confirm the anti-cancer effect and safety of the hexane layer. The HF assay was carried out using an A549 human adenocarcinoma cell via intraperitoneal (IP) site with or without cisplatin. In the result, the 200 mg/kg b.w of hexane layer with 4 mg/kg b.w of cisplatin treated group, showed the highest cytotoxicity aginst A549 carcinoma cells. For the 28-day repeated toxicity study, 6 groups of 10 male and female mice were given by gavage 200, 100, or 50 mg/kg b.w hexane layer with or without 4 mg/kg b.w of cisplatin against body weight, and were then sacrificed for blood and tissue sampling. The subacute oral toxicity study in mice with doses of 200, 100, and 50 mg/kg b.w hexane layer showed no significant changes in body weight gain and general behavior. The cisplatin-treated group significantly decreased in body weight compared to the control group but regained weight with 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w of hexane layer. The biochemical analysis showed significant increase in several parameters (ALT, total billirubin, AST, creatinine, and BUN) in cisplatin-treated groups. However, in the group given a co-treatment of hexane layer (200 mg/kg b.w), levels of these parameters decreased. In hematological analysis, cisplatin induced the reduction of WBCs and neutrophils but co-treatment with hexane layer (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w) improved these toxicities caused by cisplatin. The histological profile of the livers showed eosinophilic cell foci in central vein and portal triad in cisplatin treated mice. These results show that hexane layer might have an anti-cancer activity and could improve the toxicity of cisplatin.
Adenocarcinoma ; Animals ; Body Weight ; Cisplatin ; Creatinine ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; Male ; Melia ; Melia azedarach ; Mice ; Neutrophils ; Veins

BACKGROUND: /OBJECTIVE: Centella asiatica, also known as Gotu kola, is a tropical medicinal plant native to Madagascar, Southeast Asia, and South Africa. It is well known to have biological activities, including wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, and antioxidant effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of extracts of C. asiatica against age-related eye degeneration and to examine their physiological activities.MATERIALS/METHODS: To determine the effects of CA-HE50 (C. asiatica 50% EtOH extract) on retinal pigment cells, we assessed the cytotoxicity of CoCl2 and oxidized-A2E in ARPE- 19 cells and observed the protective effects of CA-HE50 against N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced retinal damage in C57BL/6 mice. In particular, we measured factors related to apoptosis and anti-oxidation and the protein levels of rhodopsin/opsin. We also measured glucose uptake to characterize glucose metabolism, a major factor in cell protection. RESULTS: Induction of cytotoxicity with CoCl2 and oxidized-A2E inhibited decreases in the viability of ARPE-19 cells when CA-HE50 was administered, and promoted glucose uptake under normal conditions (P < 0.05). In addition, CA-HE50 inhibited degeneration/apoptosis of the retina in the context of MNU-induced toxicity (P < 0.05). In particular, CA-HE50 at 200 mg/kg inhibited the cleavage of pro-caspase-3 and pro-poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase and maintained the expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1 similar to normal control levels. Rhodopsin/opsin expression was maintained at a higher level than in normal controls. CONCLUSION A series of experiments confirmed that CA-HE50 was effective for inhibiting or preventing age-related eye damage/degeneration. Based on these results, we believe it is worthwhile to develop drugs or functional foods related to age-related eye degeneration using CA-HE50.

Laboratory and clinical evidence indicates a potentially important role for barbiturates in the management of brain injury and intracranial hypertension. The present report describes our experience with the thiopental and mannitol therapy in 30 consecutive patients who were over 20mmHg of intracranial pressure(ICP) in severe head injuries and the other comatous conditions. The anothers have analyzed the effects of thiopental on outcome in comatous 30 patients by continuous monitoring of ICP. High dose barbiturate therapy was induced with an intravenous bolus of thiopental, 40mg/kg and the infusion of barbiturates intermittently continued until control of the ICP(below 20mmHg) was obtained. In those patients responding to thiopental, the daily mannitol requirement was reduced from 3.5 to 0.5mg/kg/day. Our overall results are presented; 1) In patients with intracranial mass lesions only very high ICP(>40mmHg) on barbiturate management was significantly associated with a poor neurological deficit and outcome from injury, while the patients with any increased in ICP above 20 to 29mmHg was associated with a moderate neurological disability and better outcome with thiopental and mannitol treatment. 2) In patients with surgical mass lesion ICP between 20 to 29mmHg was significantly associated good neurological picture and outcome, but the patients in ICP above 40mmHg, had a 75% motality. 3) Decreases in ICP over 20mmHg were seen in 75%of the patient who had managed with thiopental and mannitol. 4) Thiopental responders have returned to a good recovered and minimal deficit, but thiopental nonresponsiveness was associated with a completely unfavorable outcome:5 deaths, 1 vegetative survior.
Barbiturates ; Brain Injuries ; Craniocerebral Trauma* ; Head* ; Humans ; Intracranial Hypertension* ; Mannitol* ; Thiopental*

PURPOSE: This study investigates the COX-2 expression in human primary breast carcinomas and its relationship with both angiogenesis and the expression of estrogen receptor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: COX-2 expression, angiogenesis, and estrogen receptor expression were examined by immunohistochemical methods in 167 human breast carcinomas by using monoclonal antibodies against COX-2, CD34, and estrogen receptor protein. RESULTS: Although COX-2 was expressed in 77.8% of the breast carcinomas (130/167) regardless of histological types, it was not detected at all in benign epithelial cells. Interestingly, COX-2 expression was found to be significantly correlated with tumor angiogenesis (p=0.004), but not with estrogen receptor and other histopathologic parameters. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that COX-2 expression occurs frequently in breast tissue during transformation of benign epithelial cells to malignant cells regardless of the estrogen receptor status. COX-2 expression may play a role in tumor angiogenesis that is responsible for tumor growth and metastasis.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Cyclooxygenase 2* ; Epithelial Cells ; Estrogens* ; Humans* ; Neoplasm Metastasis

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of patients over the age of 25 years with acne has significantly increased over the past 10 years. Several etiologic factors such as genetic factor, hyperandrogenism, stress, and cosmetics have been studied. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the differences between adolescent acne and post-adolescent acne, based on the clinical features, asoociated diseased and aggravating factors of 327 acne patients. METHODS: 327 consective patients, first visited to our hospital with clinical facial acne between March 2000 and February 2001, were enrolled. 220 adolescent patients(AP) were under the age of 25 and post-adolescent patients(PP) were over age of 25. RESULTS: 1. In the face, cheeks and forehead in adolescents, chin and cheeks in post-adolescents were predilection sites. The predominant type was a comedonal type in adolescents and a papulopustular type in post-adolescents(P<0.05). Severity of inflammatory type was not different between two groups. Familial factors were important in both groups, but more frequently found in post-adolescents with persistent acne(P<0.05). 2. Rosacea, chloasma, and hyperandrogenic features such as hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia were more frequently observed in post-adolescents. Seborrheic and atopic dermatitis were more frequent in adolescents. Four patients had all the features of chloasma, acne, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis and hirsutism. 3. Aggravation by weason especially summer, sweating, stress, and cosmetics was more frequent in adolescents. In PP, acne was more frequently aggravated by sunlight, foods and menstrual period. CONCLUSION: Post-adolescent acne was mainly a papulopustular type predominantly located on the chin and cheeks with mild to moderated severity, and family history and hyperandrogenism were strong etiologic factors in persistent acne. Aggravating factors were not significantly different between two group, which suggested cosmetics and stress might not be important in post adolescent acne.
Acne Vulgaris* ; Adolescent* ; Alopecia ; Cheek ; Chin ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Forehead ; Hirsutism ; Humans ; Hyperandrogenism ; Melanosis ; Prevalence ; Rosacea ; Sunlight ; Sweat ; Sweating

PURPOSE: The role of ghrelin, which promotes the secretion of growth hormone, was not well known until now. Recently it was found that the mutation of ghrelin gene is related to obesity and diabetes. This study is to find the screening method that can easily and effectively detect the polymorphism of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene of obesity patients and apply it to clinical usage. METHODS: We compared PCR-RFLP, PCR-SSCP and ARMS methodologies for analyzing of the polymorphism of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene of obesity children, and also studied the merits and demerits of these methodologies. RESULTS: In this study, we were able to find out the band of peculiar allele of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene using PCR-RFLP, PCR-SSCP and ARMS analyses. The polymorphism of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene determined by all above methodologies was in complete agreement. Compared to the PCR- RFLP and PCR-SSCP, ARMS analysis is simple, inexpensive and also consume less time. It is very sensitive to analyze the polymorphism and easy to understand the results of test. CONCLUSION: Though PCR-RFLP, PCR-SSCP and ARMS analyses were sensitive to analyze the polymorphism of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene, ARMS analysis appears to be more efficient than PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP. Therefore, we conclude that ARMS analysis is suitable to analyze the polymorphism of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene for large quantity of specimens.
Alleles ; Arm ; Child ; Ghrelin* ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Obesity ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

PURPOSE: Giant retinal cyst is formed by a localized and circumscribed splitting of the retina into two layers. It may often be confused with retinal detachment. We describe three cases of giant retinal cysts associated with retinal detachment associated with uveitis, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: A retrospective, observational case series. RESULTS: Two cases of giant retinal cyst were associated with uveitis: one detected during pars plana vitrectomy for total retinal detachment associated with chronic uveitis, and the other detected after scleral buckling procedure for retinal detachment associated with pars planitis. These cysts completely disappeared following drainage of fluid and laser photocoagulation to the flattened cyst. A case of retinal cyst secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy and vitreous hemorrhage was observed to be free of complication and progression without any surgical intervention for 9 months. CONCLUSIONS: Giant retinal cyst may result from intraretinal degenerative change caused by retinal capillary ischemia, vitreous traction and intraretinal leakage from the neovascularization. The cyst is considered to be stable without treatment in some cases, and in others it may be resolved with pars plana vitrectomy, fluid drainage and laser photocoagulation.
Capillaries ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Drainage ; Ischemia ; Light Coagulation ; Pars Planitis ; Retina ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinaldehyde* ; Retrospective Studies ; Scleral Buckling ; Traction ; Uveitis ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreous Hemorrhage