No abstract available.
Finite Element Analysis* ; Prostheses and Implants* ; Tooth*

PURPOSE: To report the distribution of ocular higher-order aberrations in candidates for refractive surgery measured by Zywave(R) II aberrometer. METHODS: The present study included 232 eyes of 116 subjects. Ocular aberration data were obtained by measurements per eye using Zywave(R) II aberrometer. The mean Zywave spherical equivalent (SE) and higher order aberrations (HOAs) calculated in the central 6-mm zone and expressed as root mean square (RMS) values were analyzed. Correlation analysis was performed to assess the association between ocular HOAs and gender, age, SE refractive error, or central corneal thickness (CCT) and investigate the aberration symmetry between right and left eyes. RESULTS: The average SE was-4.67 +/- 1.83 diopters (D). The mean RMS values of total HOA, 3rd, 4th or 5th summated HOAs, coma, trefoil and spherical aberration (SA) were 0.421 +/- 0.201 microm, 0.346 +/-0.206 microm, 0.202 +/- 0.105 microm, 0.087 +/- 0.048 microm, 0.241 +/- 0.172 microm, 0.225 +/- 0.154 microm and 0.136 +/- 0.102 microm, respectively. There was no significant differences of the mean total HOA, summated HOAs, coma, trefoil and SA between genders, age and refractive errors, but the 3rd order trefoil was strongly related with myopia (r = -0.900, p = 0.008). There was symmetry of ocular aberrations between both eyes and the ocular aberrations were not correlated with CCT. CONCLUSIONS: Herein, we report the normative distribution of ocular aberrations in the myopic Korean population measured by Zywave(R) II aberrometer. The 3rd order trefoil and myopia were correlated and mirror symmetry was observed between right and left eyes.
Aniline Compounds ; Coma ; Lotus ; Myopia ; Refractive Errors ; Refractive Surgical Procedures*

PURPOSE: Keratoconus is a bilateral noninflammatory ecstatic disease of cornea. Clinical manifestations and treatments are well-described , but the exact pathophysiology has many debates. There are many reports on pathologic abnormalities of keratoconus, but few reports on epithelial adhesion complex. The authors investigated the abnormalities in epithelial adhesion complex of keratoconus. METHODS: Using 4 corneas from 4 recipients of penetrating keratoplasty, examination was done with transmission electron microscope (Hitachi-600, Japan) after proper fixation and staining. Central and peripheral portion of each corneal tissues were examined. RESULTS: In two tissues, severe degeneration of basement membrane and Bowman's layer were found. Some degree of abnormalities was found in other tissues, which had minimal change. Some of hemidesmosomes, the most distinct part of adhesion complex, were found only in well-maintained tissue but the distribution was abnormal. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that basal plasma membrane had selectively more degenerations and changes than intercellular plasma membrane implies pathophysiology of keratoconus on adhesion complex, basal plasma membrane, basement membrane and Bowman's layer. Further study on this issue will reveal more information as to its pathophysiology.
Basement Membrane ; Cell Membrane ; Cornea ; Hemidesmosomes ; Keratoconus* ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between nuclear density measured using the Pentacam(R) (Oculus Optikgerate GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) Scheimpflug imaging system and phacoemulsification parameters. METHODS: The nuclear density was measured using maximal nuclear density with ImageJ, Pentacam(R) nucleus staging (PNS), average value and maximal value in lens densitometry. Intraoperatively, effective phaco time (EPT) and balanced salt solution (BSS) used were noted and compared with the nuclear density calculation methods. As an index of corneal endothelial cells, the changes in cell density (CD) were compared with the nuclear density. RESULTS: Regarding EPT, maximal nuclear density with ImageJ (r = 0.379, p < 0.01) and PNS (r = 0.367, p < 0.01) were correlated positively, but the other methods were not correlated. Concerning BSS used, maximal nuclear density with ImageJ (r = 0.279, p = 0.03) and PNS (r = 0.286, p = 0.04) were positively correlated, but the other methods were not correlated. The specular microscopy showed that as the nuclear density increased, the postoperative CD tended to decrease, but without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative nuclear density measurements using maximal nuclear density with ImageJ or PNS were correlated with phacoemulsification parameters.
Cell Count ; Densitometry ; Endothelial Cells ; Microscopy ; Phacoemulsification*

PURPOSE: The present study evaluated the clinical results of phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for refractory recurrent corneal erosion (RCE). METHODS: A total of 12 eyes from 11 RCE patients who had been initially treated with conservative therapy but suffered from recurrence, were treated using PTK with 193 nm excimer laser. The preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent, average keratometric value, re-epithelialization time, corneal haze, complications and recurrence were investigated. RESULTS: PTK was combined with photorefractive keratectomy in 1 eye. The mean follow-up time was 11.42 months. All 12 eyes were successfully treated and had no recurrence during the follow-up except 1 eye where the symptoms recurred 9 months postoperatively. Postoperative BCVAs were all better than the preoperative BCVAs. Mild myopic change (average -0.20 diopter) and increased average keratometric values (average 0.27 diopter) were noted in 11 eyes which were treated using PTK alone. The average re-epithelialization time was 5.63 days. No specific complication except mild corneal haze was found. CONCLUSIONS: PTK is a safe and effective treatment for refractory RCE in short-term follow-up.
Eye ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lasers, Excimer ; Photorefractive Keratectomy ; Re-Epithelialization ; Recurrence ; Visual Acuity

Breast cancer is the primary cause of cancer death in women. Although current therapies have shown some promise against breast cancer, there is still no effective cure for the majority of patients in the advanced stages of breast cancer. Development of effective agents to slow, reduce, or reverse the incidence of breast cancer in high-risk women is necessary. Chemoprevention of breast cancer by natural products is advantageous, as these compounds have few side effects and low toxicity compared to synthetic compounds. In the present review, we summarize natural products which exert chemopreventive activities against breast cancer, such as curcumin, sauchinone, lycopene, denbinobin, genipin, capsaicin, and ursolic acid. This review examines the current knowledge about natural compounds and their mechanisms that underlie breast cancer chemopreventive activity both in vitro and in vivo. The present review may provide information on the use of these compounds for the prevention of breast cancer.
Biological Products* ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Capsaicin ; Chemoprevention* ; Curcumin ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence

Adenomatoid tumors are well-recognized neoplasms generally to be of mesothelial derivation. We experienced a case of an adenomatoid tumor of the tail of the epididymis in a 56-year-old male. Grossly the tumor was firm and whitish gray, and microscopically it consisted of glandular, cord-like, microcystic structures which were lined by flattened endothelial like to plump cuboidal cells. Immunohistochemical stains whowed positivity for keratin and negativity for facter VIII related antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen. Ultrastructually, there was many long microvilli projecting into the glandular lumina and intracytoplasmic luminal spaces, desmosomes, and prominent cytoplasmic tonofilaments. Those findings strongly support the mesothelial origin of the adenomatoid tumor especially in the glandular type. It also lead us to suggest that the term adenomatoid tumor should be remain in use for light microscopic diagnosis, and that the term adenomatoid mesothelioma should be applied when the mesothelial nature of an adenomatoid tumor is proven by electron microscopy and immunohistochemical stains.

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory* ; Trigeminal Nerve Injuries* ; Trigeminal Nerve*

PURPOSE: This descriptive study was conducted to identify the level of knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors among older adults. METHODS: A total of 200 older adults over 65 years of age were conveniently recruited from out patient departments of two hospitals and a health care center from October to November 2008. The level of knowledge was assessed using both open-ended questions and a structured questionnaire based on semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed by t-tests and ANOVA using the SPSS program. RESULTS: 52.5% of the sample had hypertension and 30% had diabetes. The mean knowledge scores for symptoms and risk factors were 8.4 +/- 3.1(out of 15) and 9.5 +/- 3.9 (out of 16), respectively. The older adults who had lower education, lower family income, and who lived in rural areas were more likely to have less knowledge of stroke symptom and risk factors(p < .05). There was no significant knowledge difference between the older adults who had at least one risk factor and those who had no risk factor for stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Educational intervention should be focused on informing older adults who are at risk for stroke about the early symptoms and management of risk factors, especially those who have low education and low social status.
Adult ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to understand essential meanings of suffering experienced by suicide attempters. METHODS: Data were collected in 2009 through individual narrative interviews from 7 suicide attempters. Texts from literary works and movies containing suicide were also included as data. Data were analyzed using the hermeneutic phenomenology of van Manen. RESULTS: Thirteen themes were identified in four dimensions. In the dimension of 'lived body', 'unbearably sweet temptation to death', 'body surrendered by emotional damage', 'chaos in life and death', 'squashed body by the heavy weight of life', and 'loss of meaning in life' were identified. 'The black hole, one is not able to get out' represents the experience in the dimension of 'lived space', 'The moment on the edge of a profound abyss' and 'the worst present and hopeless future' represent 'lived time'. In the dimension of 'lived human relation', 'I who am alone in the world', 'fear of being abandoned', 'unbreakable relationship trap', 'I who am not recognized' and 'guilty feeling' were included. CONCLUSION: Results of the study should be helpful in developing personalized suicide prevention programs by showing the various types of suffering deeply ingrained into the personal history of suicide attempters.
Humans ; Life Change Events ; Qualitative Research ; Stress, Psychological ; Suicide* ; Suicide, Attempted