[Behavior standards for public situations of children in reformatory institutions].

Behavioral standards are an important determinant of delinquent behavior. The present study investigated the associations between behavioral standards and juvenile delinquency of children in reformatory institutions. A total of 1 248 children in reformatory institutions completed the Standard for Public Space Scale (SPS). The resulting alpha coefficients suggested that the SPS had high internal reliability. Factor analysis revealed five factors: (a) Public Values, (b) Egocentric, (c) Regional-standards, (d) Peer-standards, and (e) Care about Others. Cluster analysis revealed that juvenile delinquency experiences fell into two clusters of "likelihood of committing a crime" and "committing a crime". In addition, ANOVAs suggested that juvenile delinquents in reformatory institutions had higher scores on factors of Egocentric and Peer-standards on the behavioral standards, compared to juvenile non-delinquents. The value of using the Standard for Public Space Scale for the study of juvenile delinquency was discussed.

Prevalence and risk factors for cornea guttata in the Reykjavik Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To establish the age- and gender-specific prevalence of cornea guttata (CG) in citizens of Reykjavik, Iceland, 55 years and older. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, random, population-based study. PARTICIPANTS: The 774 participants were those participating in the second examination of the Reykjavik Eye Study. At baseline, we had a response rate of 75.8%, and at the 5-year follow-up, 88% of the survivors participated. METHODS: We used slit-lamp and non-contact specular microscopy and endothelial specular photography as well as computer-assisted morphometry. We used a standardized grading system for CG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diagnosis of primary central CG. RESULTS: The prevalence of CG is 11% for females and 7% for males both for right eyes and left eyes. Higher weight and higher body mass index are found to be associated with decreased risk of CG. Having smoked more than 20 pack-years increased the risk of CG more than 2-fold (P<0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Cornea guttata seem to be found more commonly in women than in men. Smoking for more than 20 pack-years increases the risk of developing CG more than 2-fold.

Successful management of conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia by interferon alpha-2b.

BACKGROUND: Interferon alpha-2b (IFN alpha 2b) was recently shown to be effective as an alternative therapy for conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Herein, we report our successful management of CIN by the use of IFN alpha 2b. CASE: A 73-year-old woman presented with a complaint of irritation due to a tumorous lesion in her left eye. Slit-lamp microscope examination revealed a tumorous lesion involving the bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva as well as the limbus, from the 3-o'clock position to the 8-o'clock position. She had already undergone cryotherapy in the same eye in another hospital, twice for a lesion on the lower tarsal conjunctiva and once for a lesion on the upper tarsal conjunctiva. The histological diagnosis had been CIN. OBSERVATIONS: In treating this patient, IFN alpha 2b was injected subconjunctivally twice and also applied as eye drops for 12 weeks. Two weeks after the initial treatment, the tumorous lesion disappeared. During a 1-year follow-up period, no recurrence was noted. CONCLUSION: Topical and subconjunctival IFN alpha 2b is a valuable treatment option for CIN.

[Two cases of primary biliary cirrhosis accompanied with severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca due to Sjögren syndrome].

BACKGROUND: Primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC) is occasionally associated with Sjögren syndrome and results in liver cirrhosis. It occurs particularly in women, middle-aged or older, and is characterized by the presence of anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA). We diagnosed PBC in 2 patients with severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). CASE 1: A 45-year-old woman was diagnosed with PBC. A test for the presence of AMA was positive and liver dysfunction was detected. Tests for the presence of anti-SSA antibody and anti-SSB antibody were also positive. Signs of severe sicca syndrome observed in the oral cavity and in the eyes were compatible with signs of Sjögren syndrome. Furthermore, superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis was also observed. CASE 2: A 57-year-old woman was diagnosed with PBC and Sjögren syndrome. She also had thyroiditis and severe KCS. Tests for the presence of AMA, anti-SSA antibody, and anti-SSB antibody were positive. In both cases, eye drops were not effective as a treatment for the KCS, but lacrimal punctal occlusion with cauterization was effective. CONCLUSION: PBC should be looked on as a disease that may possibly promote severe KCS.