Observations on diagnostic kits for the determination of uric acid.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Costs and Cost Analysis↗
Biomedical subjects
E K Kim
Publications and source records attributed to E K Kim.
Comparison of two procedures: photorefractive keratectomy versus laser in situ keratomileusis for low to moderate myopia.
PURPOSE: A prospective study was conducted to compare the effectiveness, safety, and stability of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for correction of low to moderate myopia. METHODS: Forty-five patients with a manifest refraction (PRK, -4.54 +/- 0.80; LASIK, -4.82 +/- 1.10) from -1.50 to -6.00 diopters (D) were treated and followed-up for 6 months. In each case, 1 eye received PRK and the other LASIK. The first eye treated, and the surgical method used in the first eye, were randomized. Uncorrected and corrected visual acuity, manifest refraction, corneal haze, and topographic analysis of ablation decentration were examined. RESULTS: The uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 35 PRK eyes (77.8%) and 28 LASIK eyes (62.2%) at 6 months (P =.107). At 6 months, 28 eyes (62.2%) that received PRK showed a spherical equivalent of within +/-0.5 D as compared with 24 eyes (53.4%) that received LASIK (P =.393). The amount of ablation decentration was 0.37 +/- 0.25 mm in PRK eyes and 0.49 +/- 0.38 mm in LASIK eyes at 3 months (P =.36). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, PRK and LASIK were found to be similarly effective and predictive of correction in low to moderate myopia. PRK has the advantage of less ablation decentration and is safer than LASIK, so we recommend PRK for eyes with low to moderate myopia.
Cornea↗
Effects of growth rate on the production of Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase during the fed-batch cultivation of Escherichia coli.
Recombinant Escherichia coli was grown to produce the thermostable Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase by controlling the specific growth rate (mu). At low growth rate (mu = 0.07 h-1), a higher cell density (OD600 = 140) was obtained. By calculating the cell yield on nitrogen, the medium was optimized to prevent inhibition of cell growth by nitrogen unbalance. Acetate accumulated in the broth at the same rate as observed in a chemostat under nitrogen-limited fed-batch conditions, but not in a glucose-limited fed-batch culture. Postinduction growth rate affected lipase production more than preinduction growth rate. After induction, more lipase was produced at a low growth rate (mu = 0.1 h-1) than at a high growth rate (mu = 0.4 h-1). More lipase was produced at 37 than at 20 degrees C at a constant growth rate, indicating that temperature affected other factors in addition to growth rate.
Acetic Acid↗
Association of vitamin D receptor and estrogen receptor gene polymorphisms with bone mass in postmenopausal Korean women.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between vitamin D receptor (VDR) and estrogen receptor (ER) gene polymorphism and bone mineral density (BMD). DESIGN: Polymorphisms at the VDR FokI and ER PvuII and XbaI gene sites, serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, urinary N-telopeptide of type I collagen, and BMD at the lumbar spine and proximal femur were analyzed in 229 postmenopausal Korean women. RESULTS: The distribution of ER PvuII and XbaI and VDR FokI restriction fragment length polymorphisms was as follows: pp 39.3%, Pp 46.3%, PP 14.4%, xx 34.1%, Xx 61.1%, XX 4.8%. ff 17.0%, Ff 43.7%, and FF 39.3%, respectively (upper-case letters signify the absence, and lower-case letters signify the presence of the restriction site). After adjusting for potential confounding factors such as age, body mass index, and menopause duration, ER PvuII was independently associated with BMD at the lumbar spine and XbaI polymorphism BMD at the femoral neck. The lumbar spine BMD in the pp genotype was 7.5% lower than in the PP genotype, and the femoral neck BMD was 4.8% lower in the Xx genotype than in the xx genotype. By itself, the VDR FokI polymorphism was not related to BMD, but by combining the FokI genotype (FF) with ER genotypes, such as ppxx and the PpXx, the difference in the BMD at the Ward's triangle became significant. There were no significant differences in the levels of biochemical markers between the genotypes of three polymorphisms. CONCLUSION: ER polymorphisms, singly and in relation to VDR FokI polymorphism, influence bone mass in Korean women.
Aged↗
Management of detached lenticule after in situ keratomileusis.
BACKGROUND: Attachment of a keratomileusis lenticule without sutures is a commonly used technique that reduces surgery time and makes the procedure more simple. Detachment of the lenticule after surgery is a difficult complication to manage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three cases of lenticular detachment occurred among 74 eyes of microkeratome in situ keratomileusis without suture. After thorough washing of the lenticule and stromal bed, the lenticules were reattached with air drying. RESULTS: In the first eye, the lenticule was reattached successfully with air only. In the second and third eyes, epithelial growth along the interface appeared after reattachment. In spite of removing the epithelium from the interface and suturing the lenticule to the stromal bed four times, the epithelial growth recurred along the interface. Peripheral corneal neovascularization forced the surgeon to abandon more trials of resuturing. In the second eye, the lenticule was discarded because the epithelial growth along the interface could not be blocked. In the third eye, the edge of the lenticule was buried into the stroma, mimicking epikeratoplasty. All three eyes retained useful visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: A detached lenticule after microkeratome keratomileusis is difficult to replace without epithelial growth in the interface. This complication may be managed successfully.
Adult↗
New fixation device for photorefractive surgery and its effect on corneal epithelial wound healing.
PURPOSE: A new eyeball fixation device during photorefractive surgery was designed and tested. The device fixates the eyeball by means of a suction ring, and is then fixated to the headrest of the patient's chair via clipper and metal frames. METHODS: Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was performed on PMMA contact lenses placed over the patient's cornea (n=6) to evaluate smoothness of the ablated surface and on rabbit (n=24) and patient (n=30) corneas for evaluation of wound healing time. Decentration with fixation was examined using videokeratography after PRK. RESULTS: After fixation, only small amounts of corneal movement from the patient's pulsating heart were noted. The mean smoothness (root mean square) of the PMMA contact lens ablated surface was 0.43 +/- 0.16 microm in non-fixated eyes and 0.26 +/-0.05 microm in fixated eyes. Mean epithelial healing rate was 47.93 +/- 21.80 microm/hr in non-fixated rabbit eyes and 66.49 +/- 20 microm/hr in fixated rabbit eyes. Mean epithelial healing time was 3.47 +/- 1.11 days in non-fixated human eyes and 2.53 +/- 0.51 days in fixated human eyes. Mean decentration after PRK was 0.30 +/- 0.28 mm in fixated human eyes. CONCLUSION: Fixating the eyeball allows less movement of the eye and achieves a smoother ablation surface for more rapid epithelial healing after PRK.
Adult↗
Nocardia keratitis after traumatic detachment of a laser in situ keratomileusis flap.
PURPOSE: Nocardia are gram-positive bacteria existing ubiquitously in the environment; they can cause keratitis. Nocardia asteroides keratitis occurred in the interface between the stromal bed and flap after traumatic detachment of the flap 4 months after an initially uncomplicated laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) procedure. METHODS: Nocardia asteroides keratitis was confirmed by culture. Therapy included topical and oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. RESULTS: Thirteen months after the trauma, the patient's spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 with a manifest refraction of -2.25 -1.00 x 30 degrees. CONCLUSIONS: The immediate steps of management consisting of surgically lifting the corneal flap, rapid microbial identification, and proper treatment with specific antibiotics resulted in the successful treatment of Nocardia asteroides keratitis in a traumatized eye after LASIK.
Adult↗
Late development of umbilical metastasis after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for a gallbladder carcinoma.
A periumbilical mass developed 47 months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Pathologic examination of this mass showed features of moderately differentiated papillary adenocarcinoma, similar to that identified within the previously removed early stage (pT1b) gallbladder carcinoma. The cause of this at the laparoscope port is unclear. after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder carcinoma has not been reported previously. We reported a case with late periumbilical tumor seeding at the navel trocar insertion site in a 65-year-old female. A review of the preventative information of tumor recurrence and management is discussed. The use of gasless laparoscopy, slow desufflation, trocar site washout, wound protector and specimen bags are recommended.
Abdominal Neoplasms↗
[Antioxidant activity of mildronate and L-carnitine in the treatment of patients with cerebrovascular diseases].
The antioxidant properties of mildronate and a structurally close compound L-carnitine were studied under clinical conditions during the therapy of patients with acute lacunar stroke and discirculatory encephalopathy (DEP) on the background of diabetes mellitus, respectively. Administered in addition to the base course of therapy, both mildronate (in a daily dose of 500 mg) and L-carnitine (2 mg) increased the resistance of blood serum lipoproteins with respect to peroxidation. It was concluded that the drugs possess antioxidant activity and offer protection against lipid peroxidation. L-carnitine acute produced a significant hypoglycemic action and made possible an almost twofold (42%) decrease in the dose of hypoglycemic drugs. The administration of L-carnitine also improved both abstract and concrete thinking and memory function in DEP patients. The results allowed mildronate and L-carnitine to be included in the complex therapy of patients with cerebrovascular diseases.
Acute Disease↗
[The action of carnitine-series preparations in experimental alloxan diabetes mellitus].
The study was undertaken to examine the effects of l-carnitine and acetyl-l-carnitine in rats and mice with experimental alloxan diabetes. The findings suggest that acetyl-l-carnitine is more effective against diabetes in increasing glucose tolerance, restoring the impaired response of glucagon to glucose, showing glycogen-sparing action than is l-carnitine.
Acetylcarnitine↗
[Pathways of the pharmacological regulation of immunoreceptor function].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
[Laser nephelometry technic in clinical pharmacology].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Cephalosporins↗
[Effect of immunodepressive therapy with azathioprine and prednisolone on the individual serum protein content in chronic kidney failure patients after a kidney allograft].
The immunodepressants azathioprine and prednisolone given to patients after kidney transplantation decreased the concentration of IgG, IgA, and IgM. Azathioprine and prednisolone did not affect the content of C3c and C4 components of complement in patients after kidney transplantation. Prednisolone coupled with azathioprine reduced the toxic action of the latter and raised the concentration of alpha 1-glycoprotein, alpha 2-macroglobin, transferrin, haptoglobin which are responsible for nonspecific defence factors.
Adolescent↗
[A comparative evaluation of the hypoglycemic activity of acetyl-alpha-carnitine and chlorpropamide in experimental diabetes].
The comparison of the action shown by acetyl-alpha-carnitine and chloropropamide in rabbits with experimental diabetes has demonstrated that the former has a more pronounced hypoglycemic action. In combined administration, acetyl-alpha-carnitine substantially enhanced the effects of chloropropamide in the animals with experimental diabetes, which should be taken into account by clinicians in its use.
Acetylcarnitine↗
Comparison of excimer laser and microkeratome myopic keratomileusis in human cadaver eyes.
BACKGROUND: There are currently four techniques of keratomileusis in clinical use: cryolathe, planar with mold, excimer laser, and in situ. Comparative studies among the techniques are rare in human cadaver eyes. We studied the newest of these techniques using the argon fluoride (193 nm) excimer laser to perform the excision of stroma as compared to the nonfreeze, planar, lamellar myopic keratomileusis using the Barraquer-Krumeich-Swinger (BKS) technique. METHODS: Corneas were dehydrated in dextran-containing medium. A 9.00-diopter correction was attempted with each technique using the manufacturers' parameters. There were six eyes in each group. Keratometry was done with the instrument (Bausch & Lomb) mounted vertically. RESULTS: The laser group achieved a mean keratometric flattening of 5.80 +/- 1.00 D; the BKS group achieved a flattening of 3.80 +/- 1.30 D. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated the difficulty in obtaining results in eye-bank eyes that match those achieved clinically. The different results of these two techniques underscore the need to use clinical data to adjust laser keratomileusis operating parameters.
Corneal Stroma↗