Lower Energy to Make a Corneal Flap with a 60 kHz Femtosecond Laser Reduces Flap Inflammation and Corneal Stromal Cell Death But Weakens Flap Adhesion

PURPOSE: To compare corneal flaps created in rabbits with a 60 kHz femtosecond (FS) laser using different levels of raster energy and to measure early inflammation, corneal stromal cell death, and late postoperative adhesion strength. METHODS: Sixty rabbits were divided into three groups of 20 each. A flap 110 micrometer thick and 9.0 mm in diameter was made in one eye of each rabbit at raster energies of 0.7 microJ, 1.1 microJ, and 2.4 microJ. Histopathological evaluation for inflammation and apoptosis using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed at 4 and 24 hours after flap creation. The adhesion strength of the flaps was measured with a tension meter at 1 and 3 months. RESULTS: Twenty four hours after flap creation, the 2.4 microJ group had more inflammatory and CD11b-positive cells than the 0.7 and 1.1 microJ groups. The number of TUNEL-positive cells increased with raster energy at 4 and 24 hours. The grams of force (gf) needed to detach the flaps at 3 months was significantly higher in 2.4 microJ group (170 gf) than in 0.7 microJ group (97.5 gf) and 1.1 microJ group (100 gf, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Using raster energy lower than 1.1 microJ to make a flap with a 60 kHz FS laser decreases inflammatory cell infiltration and corneal stromal cell death in the central cornea but may result in a weaker flap than using higher raster energy (2.4 microJ).

Lower Energy to Make a Corneal Flap with a 60 kHz Femtosecond Laser Reduces Flap Inflammation and Corneal Stromal Cell Death But Weakens Flap Adhesion

PURPOSE: To compare corneal flaps created in rabbits with a 60 kHz femtosecond (FS) laser using different levels of raster energy and to measure early inflammation, corneal stromal cell death, and late postoperative adhesion strength. METHODS: Sixty rabbits were divided into three groups of 20 each. A flap 110 micrometer thick and 9.0 mm in diameter was made in one eye of each rabbit at raster energies of 0.7 microJ, 1.1 microJ, and 2.4 microJ. Histopathological evaluation for inflammation and apoptosis using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was performed at 4 and 24 hours after flap creation. The adhesion strength of the flaps was measured with a tension meter at 1 and 3 months. RESULTS: Twenty four hours after flap creation, the 2.4 microJ group had more inflammatory and CD11b-positive cells than the 0.7 and 1.1 microJ groups. The number of TUNEL-positive cells increased with raster energy at 4 and 24 hours. The grams of force (gf) needed to detach the flaps at 3 months was significantly higher in 2.4 microJ group (170 gf) than in 0.7 microJ group (97.5 gf) and 1.1 microJ group (100 gf, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Using raster energy lower than 1.1 microJ to make a flap with a 60 kHz FS laser decreases inflammatory cell infiltration and corneal stromal cell death in the central cornea but may result in a weaker flap than using higher raster energy (2.4 microJ).

Transfusion-related Cytomegalovirus Infection Among Very Low Birth Weight Infants in an Endemic Area

This study investigated the incidence of acquired cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) given CMV seropositive blood, and sought to determine whether filtering and irradiation of blood products could help prevent CMV infection and the time required to clear passively-derived anti-CMV IgG among 80 VLBWI transfused with filtered-irradiated blood, 20 VLBWI transfused with nonfiltered- nonirradiated blood and 26 nontransfused VLBWI. CMV IgG and IgM values were obtained from all blood products prior to transfusions, and from VLBWI at birth until the infants became seronegative. Urine was obtained for CMV culture at birth and every 3-4 weeks until 12 weeks after the final transfusion. The incidence of CMV IgG seropositivity among the 126 infants at birth and the blood products given were 96% and 95%, respectively. The incidence of acquired CMV infection was 4/100 (4%) in the transfused group: 2/80 (2.5%) and 2/20 (10%) in the filtered-irradiated and nonfiltered-nonirradiated transfusion groups, respectively. Approximately 9-10 months elapsed to clear passively acquired CMV IgG. The irradiation and filtering of the blood products did not seem to decrease the transfusion-related CMV infection rate in Korea among VLBWI, however, further validation is recommended in a larger cohort of infants.

ST-T Change on Electrocardigraphy in Old Diabetics Without Chest Pain

BACKGROUND: Silent myocardial ischemia is often found in old diabetics. Many diagnostic tools are used for diagnosis of angina. But these tools are difficult to use in primary care. Therefore we have planned to investigate the change of electrocardiography in old diabetics, using resting electrocardiogram which is available for primary care. METHOD: 67 patients with ST-T change group and 262 patients with control group were included in this study. Patients with chest pain or heart problem were excluded. The resting electrocardigraphy is examined by standard 12 lead electrocardiogram. RESULTS: There are differences of diabetes, HDL-cholesterol between ST-T change group and control group. Diabetes and HDL- cholesterol are significant factors that change ST-T wave in the resting electrocardigraphy. CONCLUSION: ST-T change of old diabetics without chest pain is more frequent than non diabetics. That means myocardial ischemia and requires treatment at secondary or third medical center. In conclusion, regular electrocardigraphy monitoring at primary care should be required in old diabetics.

Effectiveness of Through-the-scope Self-expandable Metal Stent in Malignant Upper Gastrointestinal Obstruction / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) have been used in the palliation of malignant obstruction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and outcome of SEMS using through-the-scope (TTS) method in the patients with malignant upper gastrointestinal obstruction including recurrent gastric cancer after gastrectomy. METHODS: Thirty one patients (36 stents) were treated with SEMS between October 2000 and June 2004; nineteen had inoperable malignant gastric outlet obstruction, ten had recurrent gastric cancer after gastrectomy, and two had metastatic duodenal cancer. We analyzed the technical and clinical success, complication, and outcome. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 88.8% (32/36 stents) in total cases; 95.0% (19/20) in malignant gastric outlet obstruction, 84.6% (11/13) in recurrent gastric cancer after gastrectomy, and 66.7% (2/3) in metastatic duodenal cancer. The success rate of dietary intake was 86.1% (31/36 stents). Complications occurred in 7 of 36 stents (19.4%), including stent migration (1 patient), aspiration pneumonia (1 patient), and recurrent obstruction (5 patients). The mean survival duration period was 118.1+/-180.2 days and mean patency period was 92.2+/-89.9 days. CONCLUSIONS: SEMS using TTS is an effective, safe, and less invasive palliative treatment in malignant upper gastrointestinal obstruction including recurrent gastric cancer after surgery.

The Study of Endoscopic Mucosal Resection on Gastric Adenoma and Early Gastric Cancer: The Factors Affecting Complete Resection Rate of EMR and Histological Discrepancy between the Endoscopic Biopsy and the Resected Specimen / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has been known as a method of local treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC) or gastric adenoma. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting complete resection rate (CRR) of EMR and to identify histological discrepancy between endoscopic biopsy and the resected specimen obtained by EMR. METHODS: Forty four gastric adenomas and twenty seven EGCs in 63 patients were treated by EMR from January, 1999 until August, 2002. We analysed the factors affecting CRR on the basis of location, macroscopic type, size, piecemeal resection, and EMR methods. RESULTS: The CRR in antrum was 72%. The CRR of the method using endoscopic resection with hypertonic saline-epinephrine solution, injection, precutting and snaring (ER-HSE) was 78%. The CRR according to en bloc resection was 77%. Sixty six percents of histological coincidence was noted between the endoscopic biopsy and the resected specimen of gastric adenoma. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the CRR of the ER-HSE method and the lesion located in antrum is higher than that other groups. Gastric adenoma should be removed by EMR because of histologic discrepancy between the endoscopic biopsy and the resected specimen.

Growth Suppression and Induction of Chemosensitivity in Human Gallbladder Epithelial Carcinoma Cells (GBCE) by Adenovirus-Mediated Transfer of the Wild-type p53 Gene / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Mutations in the p53 gene are reported in 50~90% of gallbladder and bile duct cancer, and have been implicated in chemoresistance. We undertook this study to determine whether the introduction of the wild type p53 gene into GBCE (human gallbladder cancer cell line with a heterozygous p53 mutation) by an adenoviral vector could increase the sensitivity of the cell to 5-FU, a commonly used drug in the treatment of gallbladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GBCE cells were transfected with either Ad/p53 or Ad/E1 in the presence of 5-FU. Gene expression was confirmed by western blotting. Nude mice were injected subcutaneously with GBCE cells. When tumors formed, intratumoral injection of Ad/p53 was performed. Reduction of tumor size was compared in two weeks of Ad/p53 gene transfection. RESULTS: Ad/53 transfection induced a dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth. Tumor colony formation was more inhibited with p53 gene transfection than with mock transfection in the presence of 5-FU. The reduction in tumor size was more pronounced with p53 transfection than with mock infection. CONCLUSION: These treatment modalities could be utilized in the treatment of p53 mutant human gallbladder cancers.

Safe Endoscopic Removal of a Sharp Foreign Body Using Latex Glove / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Most of swallowed foreign bodies pass spontaneously. However, sharp objects are usually lodged in the proximal esophagus and cause aspiration, bleeding, obstruction, and perforation. Therefore, prompt retrieval of lodged foreign bodies are necessary. The safe extraction of sharp foreign bodies using endoscopic technique is difficult because sharp objects carry a significant risk of mucosal injury and perforation. Endoscopic techniques for retrieval of foreign body include methods using protector hood and overtube. The former is not available, the later is uncomfortable and its diameter is the limiting factor. Method using a latex glove is available, comfortable, and its diameter is not limited. The thickness of the glove is thinner than protector hood, but we think that a latex glove would seem to be a effective alternative. We report a case in which a sharp foreign body was endoscopically removed using a latex glove without complication.

Cytomegalovirus colitis causing toxic megacolon in a patient with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis / 대한내과학회지

Cytomegalovirus is a frequent opportunistic pathogen in immunosuppressed patients and CMV colitis is one of its major complications. It usually presents as gastrointestinal ulceration with bleeding or perforation, but it can also take less common forms resembling many other entities, including viral gastroenteritis, ischemic colitis, intestinal pseudo-obstuction, toxic megacolon. We experienced a 49-year-old man with symptom of severe constipation and lower abdominal pain. He was diagnosed as having focal segmental glomerulosclerosis by renal biopsy, but he was an immunocompetent state. An abdominal X-ray showed marked dilatation of descending colon without air-fluid level. At colonoscopy and biopsy, he was diagnosed as having CMV colitis with focal stenosis. Treatment for two weeks with ganciclovir resulted in resolution of colitis, but stenosis was remained. We report a case of toxic megacolon and focal stenosis due to CMV colitis in a FSGS patient. It was not certain whether FSGS was related with immunosuppressive state.

Rapid Detection and Identification of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human Parainfluenza Virus Type 1, 2 and 3 by Single-tube Multiplex Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction

Laboratory diagnosis of respiratory viral infection has traditionally been based upon virus isolation and/or viral antigen identification. Recently, more sensitive and specific nucleic acid detection methods by reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) have been developed, however, conventional RT-PCR can identify only a single suspected virus. To identify the causative agents which belong to Paramyxoviridae of respiratory virus infections, we have developed a single-tube multiplex RT-PCR using four primer sets which can amplify respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus type 1, 2 and 3 simultaneously. Assay sensitivity of single-tube multiplex RT-PCR allowed a detection in the range of 3~500 TCID50 and there were no cross amplification among other respiratory viral agents based on the test using reference virus stocks. The single-tube multiplex RT-PCR was able to directly detect viruses in respiratory specimens, with virus being detected 11 of 80 samples as compared to 9 of 80 samples detected by indirect immunofluorescence or antigen detection following shell vial culture. This result suggests that the single-tube multiplex RT-PCR can be established as a more sensitive and rapid diagnostic application than shell vial assay for the detection of respiratory infection of Paramyxoviridae.

Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonitis Associated with Epstein-Barr virus in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Sjgren's Syndrome: Complete remission with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide

Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (LIP) is characterized by diffuse bilateral pulmonary infiltrations in both lower lobes. Pleomorphic lymphohistiocytes including mature lymphocytes, variable admixture of plasma cells and other mononuclear cells infiltrate within the pulmonary interstitium, ranging from widened septa to confluent masses. We report a case of LIP associated with Epstein-Barr virus in a patient with SLE and Sj gren's syndrome. A 50-year-old woman was admitted with insidious onset of progressive dyspnea for 20 days. She suffered from arthritis 10 years earlier without specific diagnosis. A radiography of chest has showed bilateral consolidative infiltrations with pleural effusion in both lower lung fields. Open lung biopsy documented lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis which expressed Epstein-Barr virus genome in situ hybridization study. Following corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide therapy, clinical symptoms and radiologic infiltrations gradually remitted.

A case of bilateral psoas abscesses in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis / 대한내과학회지

A psoas abscess is a rare clinical entity that presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Tuberculous vertebral osteomyelitis was formerly the principal cause of a psoas abscess, but now psoas abscesses most commonly result from direct extension of intraabdominal infections. Occasionally, a psoas abscess results from extension of a perinephric abscess due to secondary infection of a retroperitoneal hematoma. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of psoas abscess secondary to vertebral osteomyelitis. Tuberculosis, malnutrition, alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis and steroid use are responsible for compromise in host defenses and consequent increase in the relative risk of psoas abscess. Bilateral psoas abscesses are rare. A 66-year old woman with rheuamoid arthritis presented bilateral psoas abscesses. We report a case of bilateral psoas abscesses in rheumatoid arthritis confirmed by surgical drainage and tissue culture. To our knowledge, this is the second case report of bilateral psoas abscesses due to Staphylococcus aureus in a patient of rheumatoid arthritis in a world.

Endoscopic Band Ligation for Non-variceal, Non-ulcer Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage and Post-polypectomy Hemorrhage / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There is no consensus as to the best treatment for non-variceal, non-ulcer gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Endoscopic band ligation is an inexpensive, readily available, and easily learned technique in contrast to conventional thermal methods of endoscopic hemostasis. The purpose of this study is to define the effectiveness of endoscopic band ligation for non-variceal, non-ulcer gastrointestinal hemorrhage and post-polypectomy hemorrhage. METHODS: Twenty eight patients were treated by band ligation between July 1996 and October 2000. The lesions treated were: Dieulafoy's lesion in 13, Mallory-Weiss tear in 7, angiodysplasia in 1, post-polypectomy bleeding in 4, post-endoscopic mucosal resection bleeding in 2, post-endoscopic biopsy bleeding in 1. RESULTS: Endoscopic band ligation was successful in 25 of 28 cases. Additional sclerotherapy was necessary in two cases of Dieulafoy's lesion. The remaining case was early band detachment. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic band ligation is effective for non-variceal, non-ulcer bleeding. It has the advantage of ease of use and is relatively inexpensive.

A Case of Diverticulitis of Sigmoid Colon Mimicking Carcinoma / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Diverticular disease of the colon in Korea is different from developed Western countries. Diverticulosis leads to the complications in about 20% of cases. The diverticulitis of the right colon is difficult to be differentiated from acute appendicitis. According as increase of elderly populations, incidence of the diverticulitis of the left colon increase. Therefore we should be differenciated from other diseases. In very rare case, frequent recurrence and recovery of the diverticulitis leads to a chronic state with complications such perforation, microabscess, fistula, adhesion and fibrous hypertrophy. These findings may be misdiagnosed as malignancy because of protruding mass and stricture on colonoscopy. We present a case of an pseudotumor that looks like a malignancy in the sigmoid on colonoscopy. After surgical resection, the lesion turned out to be a complicated diverticulitis.

Epidemiological Analysis of Viral Respiratory Infections and Comparison of Isolation Rate of Various Clinical Specimens / 감염

BACKGROUND: We studied the epidemics of respiratory viral infections in Korea and examined various respiratory tract specimens for the presence of respiratory viruses, since the accuracy of rapid detection method depends, in part, on the source of the specimens. METHODS: Over a 24-month period, from March 1997 through February 1999, a total of 1,574 clinical specimens were submitted for the detection of respiratory viruses. A shell vial technique with commercially available monoclonal antibodies directed against respiratory viruses was used to detect respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, influenza virus, and parainfluenza virus in clinical specimens, which included throat swab, nasopharyngeal aspirate, tracheal aspirate, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. RESULTS: Overall positive rate of respiratory viruses was 73/1574 (4.6%). Respiratory viruses were predominantly found between December and February. High incidences were observed among those younger than 2 years and those older than 50 years. The numbers of viral isolates were 3/69 (4.3%) for throat swab, 26/459 (5.7%) for nasopharyngeal aspirate, 11/315 (3.2%) for tracheal aspirate, and 30/528 (5.7%) for BAL fluid. CONCLUSIONS: Nasopharyngeal aspirate and BAL fluid appear to permit increased detection of the respiratory viruses compared with throat swab or tracheal aspirate. However, throat swab may be good specimen for the detection of influenza virus and parainfluenza virus.

Echocardiographic Differences between Hemodialysis and Essential Hypertension Patients and the Correlations with Factors Affecting the Differences / 대한신장학회잡지

To compare the differences between hemodialysis and essential hypertension patients and its affecting factors of left ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular systolic dysfucntion in patients with hemodialysis, M-mode and two dimensional echocardiography were performed in 77 essential hypertension without azotemia and 78 chronic renal failure patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. M-mode measurement including LV mass (192.56+/-63.6g vs 300.01+/-95.99g, P=0.000), r/th (radius/LV thickness, 4.41+/-0.97 vs 4.74+/-1.0, P=0.039), LV dimemsion and fractional shortening (4.68+/-0.6 vs 5.63+/-0.97, P=0.000, 30.0+/-19.7% vs 36.6+/-97%, P=0.000 respectively) showed more severe eccentric LV hypertrophy and LV dysfunction in patients with hemodialysis than those of essential hypertension. Using Pearson correlation in hemodialysis patients, Interdialytic weight gain was positively correlated with LVEDD (r=0.318, P=0.005). In addition to the determinant, serum PTH level was negatively (r=-0.344, P=0.002) and Kt/V (r= 0.0487, P=0.003) was positively correalated with systolic function. The hypertension and dialysis duration, patient's age, had no relationship with LV function and mass in this study. In Conclusion, LV hypertrophy and LV systolic dysfunction occur more frequently in hemodialysis patients than in essential hypertension patients. And the LV systolic dysfunction, which is acutally related with the patient's quality of life, was partially explained by serum parathyroid level and Kt/V. But additional laboratory and prospective clinical studies are needed to further elucidate the mechanisms involved in the development of LVH and LV impairment in hemodialysis patients.

The Development of Molecular Detection Method and Differentiation of Genotypes of Enterovirus

In this study, the feasibility of identification and genotypic differentiation of enteroviruses was investigated by using nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (nested RT-PCR), single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP), and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) techniques. Two hundred seventy-four clinical samples were assayed by both nested RT-PCR and tube culture method using MRC-5 and MK cells; 58 (86.6%) out of 67 enterovirus culture-positive samples contained enteroviral RNA. In addition, 114 (55.1%) of 207 samples from patients with suspected enteroviral CNS disease with negative viral cultures were positive by the nested RT-PCR. The nested RT-PCR products were genotyped by the SSCP method and the results were compared with serotypes. We could differentiate 6 subtypes, 3 of which are similar to coxsackievirus B3, B5, echovirus 11, plus 3 other subtypes. RFLP cleaved with Sty I, Bgl I, and Xmn I yielded characteristic patterns for each laboratory strains. This study demonstrates the usefulness of the RT-PCR for the rapid diagnosis of enterovirus infection and the potentials of the SSCP method for differentiation of enterovirus strains.