Purpose: To report the availability of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) when diagnosing type 1 and type 2 choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 63 eyes of 59 patients who visited the outpatient clinic from April 2018 to January 2020 with treatment-naïve type 1/2 CNV associated with age-related macular degeneration. The CNV was diagnosed through fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography on the appearance of hyperfluorescence and leakage at the late phase. The CNV type was classified by location using OCT. These results were compared with those of automatic and manual segmentations via OCTA. Results: Of the 63 eyes, 45 eyes showed type 1 CNV and 18 eyes indicated type 2 CNV. Using the automatic segmented display of OCTA, type 1 CNV was identified in 29 of 45 eyes and type 2 CNV was confirmed in 17 of 18 eyes. In addition, when manual segmentation was performed, type 1 CNV was found in 41 of 45 eyes and type 2 CNV in 18 of 18 eyes. The sensitivity of diagnosis of type 1 CNV using only automatic segmentation in OCTA was 64.44%; the sensitivity increased to 91.11% when additional manual segmentation was performed (p < 0.001). For type 2 CNV, the sensitivity was 94.44% using automatic segmentation in OCTA and 100% with additional manual segmentation (p = 1.000). Conclusions Automatic segmentation of OCTA and OCT analyses enabled diagnosis of type 1 and type 2 CNV associated with age-related macular degeneration. The diagnosis accuracy or type 1 CNV improved significantly when manual segmentation was added.

Purpose: To report the availability of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) when diagnosing type 1 and type 2 choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 63 eyes of 59 patients who visited the outpatient clinic from April 2018 to January 2020 with treatment-naïve type 1/2 CNV associated with age-related macular degeneration. The CNV was diagnosed through fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography on the appearance of hyperfluorescence and leakage at the late phase. The CNV type was classified by location using OCT. These results were compared with those of automatic and manual segmentations via OCTA. Results: Of the 63 eyes, 45 eyes showed type 1 CNV and 18 eyes indicated type 2 CNV. Using the automatic segmented display of OCTA, type 1 CNV was identified in 29 of 45 eyes and type 2 CNV was confirmed in 17 of 18 eyes. In addition, when manual segmentation was performed, type 1 CNV was found in 41 of 45 eyes and type 2 CNV in 18 of 18 eyes. The sensitivity of diagnosis of type 1 CNV using only automatic segmentation in OCTA was 64.44%; the sensitivity increased to 91.11% when additional manual segmentation was performed (p < 0.001). For type 2 CNV, the sensitivity was 94.44% using automatic segmentation in OCTA and 100% with additional manual segmentation (p = 1.000). Conclusions Automatic segmentation of OCTA and OCT analyses enabled diagnosis of type 1 and type 2 CNV associated with age-related macular degeneration. The diagnosis accuracy or type 1 CNV improved significantly when manual segmentation was added.

PURPOSE: To examine effects of a postnatal care program on self-efficacy, self-management, and glycemic control in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: A non-equivalent control group non-synchronized quasi-experimental design was used. Sixty-two women with GDM were enrolled and assigned to either an experimental group (n=30) or a control group (n=32). The experimental group received an intervention which was postnatal care program for women with GDM. The postnatal care program for GDM included an individual education with leaflet and mobile web-based video with three times of telephone counseling. Effects of the intervention were measured with self-efficacy, self-management questionnaire, and a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (75g OGTT). Statistical significance was examined using independent t-test and χ2-test. RESULTS: Although there was no significant difference in 75g OGTT (χ2=.11, p=.748) or self-management (t=−1.28, p=.206), there was a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy (t=−2.02, p=.048) in the experimental group compared to that in the control group. CONCLUSION: A postnatal care program is needed for women with GDM to improve their self-efficacy. Further studies are warranted to improve self-management and glycemic control through tailored education for GDM postpartum women.
Blood Glucose ; Counseling ; Diabetes, Gestational* ; Education ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Postnatal Care* ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Self Care* ; Telephone

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Twin pregnancy and cesarean delivery are well-known risk factors for PPH. However, few studies have investigated PPH risk factors in mothers who have undergone cesarean delivery for twin pregnancies. Therefore, this study investigated the risk factors associated with severe PPH after cesarean delivery for twin pregnancies. Methods: We searched and reviewed the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service’s claims data from July 2008 to June 2021 using the code corresponding to cesarean delivery for twin pregnancy. Severe PPH was defined as hemorrhage requiring red blood cell (RBC) transfusion during the peripartum period. The risk factors associated with severe PPH were identified among the procedure and diagnosis code variables and analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Results: We analyzed 31,074 cesarean deliveries for twin pregnancies, and 4,892 patients who underwent cesarean deliveries for twin pregnancies and received RBC transfusions for severe PPH were included. According to the multivariate analysis, placental disorders (odds ratio, 4.50; 95% confidence interval, 4.09– 4.95; P < 0.001), general anesthesia (2.33, 2.18–2.49; P < 0.001), preeclampsia (2.20, 1.99–2.43; P < 0.001), hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome (2.12, 1.22–3.68; P = 0.008), induction failure (1.37, 1.07–1.76; P = 0.014), and hypertension (1.31, 1.18–1.44; P < 0.001) predicted severe PPH. Conclusions: Placental disorders, hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, and induction failure increased the risk of severe PPH after cesarean delivery for twin pregnancy

Objectives: The study aim was to analyze smoking knowledge and smoking cessation intentions according to the stage of change in smoking cessation behavior among smokers in their 20s. This program was implemented to prepare smoking cessation educational content in order to increase the success rate of smoking cessation. Methods: The analysis included 99 smokers in their 20s who lived in Seoul and Gyeonggi; the study period was February 14-16, 2024. After explaining the study purpose and obtaining consent for participation in the study, an online Google Forms survey was conducted. Results: Smoking cessation intention and smoking knowledge according to the smoking cessa-tion behavior change stage were significantly different depending on the presence of smokers and whether they attempted smoking cessation in the pre-contemplation period (P<0.05). In addition, the intention to quit smoking significantly increased in the pre-contemplation, contemplation, and preparation periods in the smoking cessation behavior change stage (P<0.001). Conclusions By operating a smoking cessation intervention program for smokers in their 20s, pro-viding correct smoking knowledge and finding ways to increase smoking cessation intention, smok-ers’ behavior can change and they can form a quitting habit. Therefore, we can expect that even middle-aged or older people can quit smoking.

PURPOSE: To compare corneal astigmatism, keratometry and corneal higher order aberrations between the light emitting diode corneal topography analyzer and Scheimpflug Imager. METHODS: This prospective study involved 45 patients (45 eyes) who visited Seoul St. Mary's hospital before cataract surgery from June 7, 2017, to August 2, 2017. For each eye, keratometry, astigmatism and its axis of cornea, higher-order aberrations were evaluated with a Scheimpflug Imager (Pentacam HR®, Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) and a color-LED corneal topographer (Cassini®, i-Optics, Den Haag, The Netherlands). RESULTS: Astigmatism magnitude measured using Cassini® and Pentacam® showed no statistically differences but anterior and total astigmatic axes were significantly different, as measured by the two devices (p < 0.05). Anterior and total mean keratometry were statistically significantly different, as measured by the two devices (p < 0.05). J0 and J45 vectors of anterior and total cornea were statistically different (p < 0.05). In addition, Cassini® and Pentacam® showed discrepancies between total corneal astigmatism, total J0 and J45 vectors. Corneal anterior spherical aberration, vertical and horizontal coma, and oblique and horizontal trefoil aberrations were not statistically different between the two devices. CONCLUSIONS: Astigmatic axes obtained from the two devices based on different principles showed statistically significant differences. Astigmatism magnitude was not statistically different but showed a discrepancy between the two devices.
Astigmatism ; Cataract ; Coma ; Cornea ; Corneal Topography ; Corneal Wavefront Aberration ; Humans ; Lotus ; Prospective Studies ; Seoul

Skin photoaging occurs due to chronic exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UV), the main factor contributing to extrinsic skin aging. Clinical signs of photoaging include the formation of deep, coarse skin wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.Although melanogenesis and skin wrinkling occur in different skin cells and have different underlying mechanisms, their initiation involves intracellular calcium signaling via calcium ion channels. The ORAI1 channel initiates melanogenesis in melanocytes, and the TRPV1 channel initiates MMP-1 production in keratinocytes in response to UV stimulation. We aimed to develop a drug that may simultaneously inhibit ORAI1 and TRPV1 activity to help prevent photoaging. We synthesized nootkatol, a chemical derivative of valencene. TRPV1 and ORAI1 activities were measured using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+ ] i was measured using calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye (Fura-2 AM). UV-induced melanin formation and MMP-1 production were quantified in B16F10 melanoma cells and HaCaT cells, respectively. Our results indicate that nootkatol (90 μM) reduced TRPV1 current by 94% ± 2% at –60 mV and ORAI1 current by 97% ± 1% at –120 mV. Intracellular calcium signaling was significantly inhibited by nootkatol in response to ORAI1 activation in human primary melanocytes (51.6% ± 0.98% at 100 μM). Additionally, UV-induced melanin synthesis was reduced by 76.38% ± 5.90% in B16F10 melanoma cells, and UV-induced MMP-1 production was reduced by 59.33% ± 1.49% in HaCaT cells. In conclusion, nootkatol inhibits both TRPV1 and ORAI1 to prevent photoaging, and targeting ion channels may be a promising strategy for preventing photoaging.

Skin photoaging occurs due to chronic exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UV), the main factor contributing to extrinsic skin aging. Clinical signs of photoaging include the formation of deep, coarse skin wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.Although melanogenesis and skin wrinkling occur in different skin cells and have different underlying mechanisms, their initiation involves intracellular calcium signaling via calcium ion channels. The ORAI1 channel initiates melanogenesis in melanocytes, and the TRPV1 channel initiates MMP-1 production in keratinocytes in response to UV stimulation. We aimed to develop a drug that may simultaneously inhibit ORAI1 and TRPV1 activity to help prevent photoaging. We synthesized nootkatol, a chemical derivative of valencene. TRPV1 and ORAI1 activities were measured using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+ ] i was measured using calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye (Fura-2 AM). UV-induced melanin formation and MMP-1 production were quantified in B16F10 melanoma cells and HaCaT cells, respectively. Our results indicate that nootkatol (90 μM) reduced TRPV1 current by 94% ± 2% at –60 mV and ORAI1 current by 97% ± 1% at –120 mV. Intracellular calcium signaling was significantly inhibited by nootkatol in response to ORAI1 activation in human primary melanocytes (51.6% ± 0.98% at 100 μM). Additionally, UV-induced melanin synthesis was reduced by 76.38% ± 5.90% in B16F10 melanoma cells, and UV-induced MMP-1 production was reduced by 59.33% ± 1.49% in HaCaT cells. In conclusion, nootkatol inhibits both TRPV1 and ORAI1 to prevent photoaging, and targeting ion channels may be a promising strategy for preventing photoaging.

Objectives: The study aim was to analyze smoking knowledge and smoking cessation intentions according to the stage of change in smoking cessation behavior among smokers in their 20s. This program was implemented to prepare smoking cessation educational content in order to increase the success rate of smoking cessation. Methods: The analysis included 99 smokers in their 20s who lived in Seoul and Gyeonggi; the study period was February 14-16, 2024. After explaining the study purpose and obtaining consent for participation in the study, an online Google Forms survey was conducted. Results: Smoking cessation intention and smoking knowledge according to the smoking cessa-tion behavior change stage were significantly different depending on the presence of smokers and whether they attempted smoking cessation in the pre-contemplation period (P<0.05). In addition, the intention to quit smoking significantly increased in the pre-contemplation, contemplation, and preparation periods in the smoking cessation behavior change stage (P<0.001). Conclusions By operating a smoking cessation intervention program for smokers in their 20s, pro-viding correct smoking knowledge and finding ways to increase smoking cessation intention, smok-ers’ behavior can change and they can form a quitting habit. Therefore, we can expect that even middle-aged or older people can quit smoking.

Objectives: The study aim was to analyze smoking knowledge and smoking cessation intentions according to the stage of change in smoking cessation behavior among smokers in their 20s. This program was implemented to prepare smoking cessation educational content in order to increase the success rate of smoking cessation. Methods: The analysis included 99 smokers in their 20s who lived in Seoul and Gyeonggi; the study period was February 14-16, 2024. After explaining the study purpose and obtaining consent for participation in the study, an online Google Forms survey was conducted. Results: Smoking cessation intention and smoking knowledge according to the smoking cessa-tion behavior change stage were significantly different depending on the presence of smokers and whether they attempted smoking cessation in the pre-contemplation period (P<0.05). In addition, the intention to quit smoking significantly increased in the pre-contemplation, contemplation, and preparation periods in the smoking cessation behavior change stage (P<0.001). Conclusions By operating a smoking cessation intervention program for smokers in their 20s, pro-viding correct smoking knowledge and finding ways to increase smoking cessation intention, smok-ers’ behavior can change and they can form a quitting habit. Therefore, we can expect that even middle-aged or older people can quit smoking.