The metabolic changes in diabetics result in progressive retinopathy and influence corneal metabolism. Changes in corneal autofluorescence were demonstrated originating from mitochondrial flavoproteins and influenced by the metabolic changes in cornea in diabetics. The corneal autofluorescence was determined to evaluate its correlation with diabetic retinopathy using fluorophotometer in 25 healthy controls, 25 diabetic mellitus(DM) pationts without retinopathy, 25 background diabetic retinopathy(BDR)patients, 25 preproliferative diabetic retinopathy (PPDR) patients, and 25 proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR) patients. The mean values(mean +/- standard deviation in ng fluorescein/ml) were 13.9 +/- 1.9, 18.7 +/- 3.1, 19.6 +/- 2.3, 20.2 +/- 4.0, 24.3 +/- 4.2, respectively. The means of coreal autofluorescence values in diabetics were significantly higher than that of the healthy controls(p<0.001). The mean values in DM patients without retinopathy, BDR patients and PPDR patients did not differ significantly(p>0.05), but the mean value in PDR patients was significantly higher than those of the other 4 groups(p<0.001). These results indicate that measurement of corneal autofluorescence can play a supplementary role in diagnosing diabetic retinopathy.
Cornea ; Diabetic Retinopathy* ; Flavoproteins ; Humans ; Metabolism

We conducted a study to compare the effects of Healon(R) and BioLon(R), which are sodium hyaluronates made by different raw materials, on rabbit eyeballs after intracameral and intravitreal injections. In the intracameral-injection group, aqueous humor was replaced with 0.2 ml of Healon(R) or BioLon(R), and in the intravitreal-injection group. 0.4 ml of Healon(R) or BioLon(R) was injected after the removal of the same amount of vitreous. Slitlamp and indirect ophthalmoscopic examination, measurement of IOP, and measurement of corneal thickness were performed preoperatively and at 2hours, 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days postoperatively. Histopathologic examinaion was done at 7 days postoperatively. No group had significant differences in all tests(p>0.05) and the findings were normalized within 7 days. These results indicated that there were no significant differences between the Healon(R) and BioLon(R) groups in the effects on rabbit eyeballs after intracameral and intravitreal injections.
Aqueous Humor ; Intravitreal Injections* ; Sodium

When illuminated by blue light, the human crystalline lens exhibits green autofluorescence. Autofluorescence of the human lens were analyzed quantitatively in vivo as a function of age in 75 healthy individuals{150 eyes) without cataract, ranging in age from 17 to 63 years. Lenses were scanned through the dilated pupil along the optical axis, generating a fluorescence profile consisting of anterior and posterior peaks of lens, using an automated scanning fluorophotometer(Fluorotron master) coupled with a lens system designed for high resolution of the anterior segment structures. Anterior peak autofluorescence increased linearly by 90 ng fluorescein/ml per decade and posterior peak autofluorescence by 70 ng fluorescein/ml per decade. No significant difference between right and left eyes was demonstrated for anterior or posterior peak autofluorescence. We suggest that the quantitative analysis of the autofluorescence of the human lens might be useful to investigate the changes of the aging lens proteins and the pathogenesis of cataract.
Aging* ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Cataract ; Crystallins* ; Fluorescence ; Fluorophotometry ; Humans ; Lens, Crystalline* ; Pupil

There are three compartments of the forearm by fascia: volar, dorsal and lateral. Compartment syndrome of the forearm, which commonly develops in the volar deep compartment, can be induced by various causes. We experienced a case of acute dorsal compartment syndrome of the forearm in a patient with rhabdomyolysis. Because of severe pain and progressive palsy of the posterior interosseous nerve, fasciotomy and release of posterior interosseous nerve were performed. Acute compartment syndrome localized at the dorsal compartment of the forearm is very rare, and compartment syndrome of the forearm in a patient with rhabdomyolysis has not been reported previously. We report the case with review of literatures.
Compartment Syndromes* ; Fascia ; Forearm* ; Humans ; Paralysis ; Rhabdomyolysis*

PURPOSE: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is associated with loss of bone mineral density (BMD). Preexisting bone losses in men with prostate cancer are of great concern because of accelerated bone loss during ADT. We sought to identify the risk factors associated with osteoporosis in Korean patients with prostate cancer who had not received ADT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent biopsy of the prostate because of a high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level or a palpable nodule in a digital rectal examination were included in this study. The patients (n=90) were divided into 2 major groups according to biopsy results: the prostate cancer group (group 1, n=41) and non-prostate cancer group (group 2, n=49). The age, body mass index (BMI), lifestyle, testosterone concentration, BMD, and disease variables in prostate cancer were obtained and analyzed prospectively. BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: In group 1, 41.4% had osteopenia (36.6%) or osteoporosis (4.8%); in group 2, 26.5% had osteopenia (22.4%) or osteoporosis (4.1%). The estimated mean T-score was significantly (p=0.037) lower in group 1 (-0.668+/-1.364) than in group 2 (-0.041+/-1.426). The significant factors correlated with BMD (T-score) in prostate cancer were age (p=0.012), serum testosterone level (p=0.019), and BMI (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: BMDs were lower in men with prostate cancer who had not received ADT than in the control group. Consideration should be given to counseling on risk factors and lifestyle issues in prostate cancer patients with old age, low serum testosterone, and slender stature before initiating ADT.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Biopsy ; Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Counseling ; Digital Rectal Examination ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Osteoporosis ; Prospective Studies ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Risk Factors ; Spine ; Testosterone

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Genetic polymorphism of cytochrome P450 CYP2C19 influences the efficacy of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy. We investigated the difference in the cure rates of H. pylori infection by triple (rabeprazole plus amoxacillin and clarithromycin) therapy in relation to CYP2C19 genotype status. METHODS: One hundred and sixteen H. pylori infected patients with gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer completed the triple therapy with 10 mg of rabeprazole b.i.d., 1,000 mg amoxacillin b.i.d. and 500 mg of clarithromycin b.i.d. for one week. The genotype of CYP2C19 was determined by a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS: According to the univariate analysis, heterozygous extensive metabolizers (hetero EMs) and poor metabolizers (PMs) showed the highest (87.0%) and the lowest (80.0%) eradication rates, respectively. The difference in the therapeutic efficacy of rabeprazole among the different CYP2C19 genotypes was insignificant. With regard to gender, age and smoking history in relation to eradication rate, a statistical significance was noted only with age with odds ratio of 1.063 and p-value of 0.0202. CONCLUSIONS: In the eradication therapy of H. pylori, no statistically significant difference in therapeutic efficacy of rabeprazole was found among different CYP2C19 genotypes.
2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles ; Adult ; Aged ; Amoxicillin/administration & dosage ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage ; Anti-Ulcer Agents/*administration & dosage ; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases/*genetics ; Benzimidazoles/*administration & dosage ; Clarithromycin/administration & dosage ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Duodenal Ulcer/drug therapy/*genetics/microbiology ; Female ; Genotype ; Helicobacter Infections/*drug therapy ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mixed Function Oxygenases/*genetics ; Omeprazole/analogs & derivatives ; Proton Pumps/*antagonists & inhibitors ; Stomach Ulcer/drug therapy/*genetics/microbiology

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage is very rare in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1. A 30-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for evaluation of headaches, nausea, and vomiting. She was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 and a spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. She was treated with conservative management, including antihypertensive medications for 32 months. However, because of sustained hypertension, we performed screening tests for a pheochromocytoma. The 24 hr urine VMA and urine metanephrines were elevated. Abdominal CT showed a right adrenal mass, 7.5 x 5.8 cm in size.. After a successful resection of the tumor, the hypertension resolved without medication for > 1 year. This case illustrates that delayed diagnosis and treatment of pheochromocytoma can cause serious complications from hypertension, such as cerebrovascular hemorrhage. Thus, in patients with neurofibromatosis and hypertension, screening for pheochromocytoma is important for the early detection of an adrenal tumor.
Adult ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Female ; Headache ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Mass Screening ; Nausea ; Neurofibromatoses ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Pheochromocytoma ; Vomiting

No abstract available.
Root Planing* ; Splints*

Avascular necrosis of the metacarpal head named as 'Dieterich disease' is a very rare condition. Because of the lack of information about the natural course and treatment of this disease, the ideal treatment has not been established as yet. We report a case of avascular necrosis that occurred at the 3rd metacarpal head after fractures of the 4th and 5th metacarpal base; this was treated conservatively and obtained the spontaneous resolution.
Head ; Metacarpal Bones ; Metacarpus ; Necrosis ; Osteonecrosis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to define the capsules of synchronous multicentric small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) with use of high-frequency intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS). METHODS: Among the 131 consecutive patients undergoing hepatic resection and high-frequency IOUS for HCC, 16 synchronous multicentric small HCCs in 13 patients were histologically diagnosed in the resected specimens. High-frequency IOUS and pathologic findings of these lesions were compared, with particular focus on the presence and appearance of the capsule in or around each lesion. RESULTS: Synchronous multicentric small HCCs were pathologically classified into distinctly nodular (n=12) or vaguely nodular (n=4) types. All 12 distinctly nodular HCCs including six subcentimeter lesions showed detectable capsules on high-frequency IOUS and pathology. The capsules appeared as a hypoechoic rim containing hyperechoic foci (n=6), hypoechoic rim (n=5), or hyperechoic rim (n=1) with varying degrees of coverage around each lesion. Histologically, the capsules were composed of a combination of one to four layers consisting of a fibrous capsule, peritumoral fibrosis, prominent small vessels, and entrapped hepatic parenchyma. CONCLUSION: Synchronous multicentric small HCCs with distinctly nodular type, even at subcentimeter size, can show capsules with varying coverage and diverse echogenicity on high-frequency IOUS.
Capsules ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Pathology ; Ultrasonography*