Priest Hospital

PurposeTo compare lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) using the enhanced depth-imaging mode of the Heidelberg Spectralis spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).Patients and MethodsA comparative cross-sectional study was conducted. We enrolled 34 patients with PACG, 38 with POAG, and 62 controls, testing only one eye of each participant. Lamina cribrosa thickness was determined at the center of the optic nerve head using EDI-OCT. Nine points of LCT were measured, and LCT averages were analyzed.ResultsMean age, number of glaucoma medications, current intraocular pressure (IOP), cup to disc ratio, and visual field indices, were not significantly different between PACG and POAG eyes. The maximum IOP (SD) was higher in PACG than in POAG, at 32.5 (10.46) vs 25.05 (6.42) mmHg (p = 0.001), and LCTs were significantly different among the PACG, POAG and control groups. Mean (SD) LCTs were 226.99 (31.08), 257.17 (19.46), and 290.75 (28.02) μm, respectively (p < 0.001). Lamina cribrosa thickness was correlated with mean deviation of the visual field (p = 0.001; correlation coefficient, rs = 0.347), while it was inversely correlated with maximum IOP (p < 0.001; correlation coefficient, rs = −0.592). Linear regression analysis revealed that LCT was inversely related to age (p = 0.008), female (p = 0.018), and maximum IOP (p = 0.002). LCT was marginally related to visual field MD (p = 0.053).ConclusionGlaucomatous eyes had thinner LCT than controls, and maximum IOP was inversely correlated to the LCT. PACG eyes had higher maximum IOP and thinner LCT than POAG ones. In living eye, EDI-OCT emphasizes the pressure-dependent mechanism of glaucoma on lamina cribrosa deformation and the higher IOP-loaded stress which leads to a greater lamina cribrosa strain.

Konštantínove listy/Constantine’s Letters is an international scientific journal which has been published in Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra since 2008. The main goal of the journal is to present problems and themes intertwined with the cultural and political history of Great Moravia during the 9th century as well as continuity of Cyrillo-Methodian tradition in later times. Next, there is also space for other adjacent topics connected with Slavonic and Byzantine history, philology, philosophy, literature, cultural relations as well as medieval and early modern age ecclesiastical history and iconography.

Taking tissue engineering applications into clinical trials requires the development of efficient and safe protocols incorporated with effective 3-dimensional cell culturing and differentiation systems in order to develop transplantable tissues that may offer a life-line for patients in the future. Cord blood, which is perhaps the most abundant world stem cell source, has shown previously practical and ethical advantages over other stem cells sources in many research and clinical applications including regenerative medicine. We previously developed a three-step protocol for isolation, expansion and sequential neuronal differentiation of cord blood pluripotent stem cells (characterized with our unique triple immunocytochemisty scheme for Oct-4, Sox-2 and Nanog) in defined serum-free culturing conditions. In this study we incorporated this protocol with 3-dimensional culturing systems which produced artificial neuronal tissues expressing Nestin, NF-200, TUJ1, PSD-95 and NeuN. We showed that cord blood pluripotent stem cells are a potential and promising candidate for future neural tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

To determine the prevalence of malnutrition in the Buddhist Priest Patients on admission to Priest Hospital. During September 2007, 97 Buddhist Priest admitted to Priest Hospital were assessed for their nutritional status by using Subjective global assessment (SGA) and Body mass index (BMI). Serum albumin, hematocrit, and total lymphocyte count (TLC) were also evaluated. The status of Protein-calorie malnutrition was found to be 41.3% due to subjective global assessment and 39.2% due to body mass index. Overweight patient found to be 16.5%. There were 16.5%, 83.5% and 20.6% of patients who had serum albumin, hematocrit, and total lymphocyte count below acceptable level. Malnutrition status in priests admitted to the Priest Hospital should be concerned and be properly managed for improved clinical outcome.

To determine the health status and risk factors of the priests in 28 temples in central Bangkok. Recruiting priests to answer health related questionnaire, then screening by laboratory testing and physical examination. Finally, setting an appointment to the specialists for consultation and special investigation in the suspected and abnormal cases. In all the priests and novices, 64.8% were healthy, 17.74% were asymptomatic cases with risk factors, and 17.47% had clinical diseases that require treatment. Since almost 35 % of the priests and novices in central Bangkok have some health problems and health risks, providing periodic physical check up and basic laboratory test for the priests is a compulsory measure to fulfill the requirement of the health promotion policy and be a productive and effective Buddhist successor.

To describe the oral health status of the elderly priests in Bangkok. The elderly priests aged 60 and over in Bangkok were clinically examined at Priest Hospital using methods recommended by the World Health Organization. Information on oral health behavior was obtained via questionnaires. A totally of 714 elderly aged 60 years and above (mean = 69.5 +/- 6.7) were examined. About 13.2% were edentulous. The mean DMFT score was 16.9 (DT=2.6, MT= 13.2, FT= 1.0). The mean number of DMFT and MT increased according to age, with MT dominating in the DMFT index. The prevalence of decayed and filled root among the elderly priests was 10.6 with the mean DFT-root at 0.3. The percentage of the elderly priests with shallow and deep periodontal pockets decreased with age from 42.5% to 21.2% among the elderly aged 60-74 and 75 and above, respectively. Obviously, tooth loss became a problem among the elderly priest. 13.2% of the participated priests were edentulous. The mean number of remaining teeth was 18.6 teeth person. This figure decreased with age. Only half of the elderly aged 60-74 and one-third of the older aged 75 years and more had functional teeth at least 20 natural teeth. In addition, the elderly priest needed more extraction for 2.2 teeth per person. Tooth loss or tooth mortality amongst the elderly priest in Bangkok should be a concern in the situation where the elderly has a trend to live longer. To manage tooth loss problem, prevention and treatment of dental caries and periodontal disease were needed. Effective oral health education and regular dental checkups should be emphasized.

Refractive errors that affect learning are common eye problems in children. Eye-screening for refractive errors in the children population is accepted as a cost-effective method in the prevention of such problems. The Department of Ophthalmology, Priest Hospital, conducted a visual screening program for the novices of the Buddhist Scripture Schools. To conduct the visual screening, evaluate eye health status and ocular abnormalities; to correct refractive errors among school novices of the Buddhist Scripture Schools. A survey of refractive errors was conducted in 76 Buddhist Scripture schools in the Bangkok Metropolitan area between October 2005 and September 2007. The novices whose ages were between 9 and 20 years were included in the present study. Refraction and eye examinations were performed by ophthalmic nurses, optometrists, and the health personnel team, resulting in novices with refractive errors receiving custom-made eyeglasses, without charge along with eye health education. The present survey was conducted during public holidays. Two thousand six hundred fifty eight novices of the Buddhist Scripture were initially screened, leading to refractive errors being identified and corrected in 498 (18.74 %) of the cases. Of the corrected cases, 465 (93.37 %) needed eyeglasses, with the most common cause of refractive error being myopia. Three hundred and thirteen (62.85 %) eye diseases were found in 158 (5.94 %) of the novices, with pterygium and pinguecula being the most common diseases found in 51 (32.27 %), and amblyopia (lazy eye) in seven (4.43 %), while 75.32% of the novices had good visual acuity with no eye disease. The authors suggested that the percentage of novices with amblyopia could be reduced to less than 4.43% if it were to be detected earlier From the present study, 498 (18.74 %) of the novices had refractive errors, and the 465 (93.37 %) of them needed and received eyeglasses. Furthermore, after having received the glasses, they reported that they were satisfied with a much better vision and ability to study in classes. Due to being in a low-age group, they had no serious eye diseases.

Early detection and proper management of eye diseases in priests and novices is cost effective, and minimize serious ocular damage and permanent loss of vision. Therefore, the Department of Ophthalmology, Priest Hospital set-up an eye examination project for the priests and novices who came for physical examination. The laboratory test was part of the Sustained and Holistic Healthcare Program for Priests and Novices as Commemoration of His Majesty the King's 60 Years of Accession to the Throne. To evaluate eye health status and screening for refractive error in priests and novices and to provide free spectacles and eye health education to fulfill the criteria of voluntary Buddhist eye health workers. Between February and June 2006, the Department of Ophthalmology, Priest Hospital conducted eye examination for the priests and novices in 28 temples in central Bangkok. The priest and novices with refractive error and abnormal eye examination received appointment for repeated refraction and complete eye examination in Priest Hospital. Six hundred forty nine priests and novices had complete eye examination. Normal visual acuity (Snellen VA 20/20) was found in 355 (54.69%) cases. The most common eye diseases were refractive error with 294 cases (45.30%), cataract with 41 cases (6.32%), glaucoma with 10 cases (1.54%) and vitreoretinal diseases, which included diabetic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration and branch retinal venous occlusion with eight cases (1.23%). Three novices had amblyopia (0.46%). Most of the priests and novices in central Bangkok had good eye health. Half of the eye problems were refractive errors. Since most of other eye diseases reported in priests were associated with aging and systemic diseases as hypertension, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease, regular ophthalmic examination should be provided in this risk group. Eye health education should be provided for sustainable eye health development as voluntary eye health workers in Buddhism.

To study the prevalence and factors associated with allergic rhinitis (AR) in the priest and novices who came for treatment in Priest Hospital The retrospective study of 110 priests with allergic rhinitis was conducted between January 2006 to June 2007. Questionnaire about allergic history, eosinophile count, prick and intradermal skin test were done. Most of the priests with the first manifestation of allergic rhinitis were in the age between 14 to 66 years with mean of 28.93 years. Specific factors related to allergic rhinitis were house dust (87.3%), animal dandruff (40.9%), pollen (35.5%) and insects (20%). Allergens that had positive skin test were house dust mite (54.4%), dog dandruff (50%), house dust (48.2%), Bermuda grass (44.5%), Sedge (42.7%), and Para grass (39.1%). Non-specific factors which induced rhinitis symptoms were joss stick (56.8%) and smoke (51.8%). All of the factors both the specific and non specific were associated with AR. Future clinical management guidelines for AR must take into account from the results of this study. Such guidelines must promote relief from allergen exposure, emotional burden and the negative impact on daily activities. Health education to the priests to eradicate allergen from their living place and maintain strong partnership with healthcare professionals for sustainable result.