PURPOSE: To analyze localized RNFL defect cases that were identified in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) fundus photographs but not in optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: Analysis of OCT scans and images was performed for 14 eyes (17 locations) that showed localized RNFL defects in RNFL fundus photographs but not in RNFL thickness average analysis. RESULTS: With respect to the range of RNFL defects, 41.2% were less than 10degrees, 47.0% were 11 to 20degrees, and 11.8% were 21 to 30degrees. In 71.4% of the RNFL cases the defects were less than 10degrees and the decrease of RNFL thickness was not readily observable on the OCT scan images. In all cases of RNFL defects in the 11 to 30degrees range the decrease in RNFL thickness could be assessed on the OCT scan images. Nonetheless, the decrease of RNFL thickness could not be seen on the OCT analysis images in which the results of the RNFL thickness made through an automated computer algorithm were displayed. CONCLUSIONS: The range of localized RNFL defects that were difficult to detect with OCT consisted of those cases that were almost less than 20degrees. The limitations of the OCT scan itself in patients with RNFL with an angular width defect less than 10degrees and the problems of RNFL thickness analysis processing in patients with an angular width of 11 to 30degrees may decrease the sensitivity of OCT in diagnosing RNFL defects.
Eye ; Humans ; Nerve Fibers ; Retinaldehyde ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship of nutritional status measured by the body composition and dietary nutrients intakes with calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation in college students. Total of 886 (462 male and 424 female) students who received health examination in May 2007 participated in this research.Participants bone status was measured by a quantitative ultrasound method and t-score was calculated via WHO guideline. For body composition measurements, body fat, height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. Dietary data were collected by a 24-hour recall method. Based on Asia-Pacific standard of WHO, BMI was divided into 3 groups; UW (BMI<18.5), NW + OW (18.5< or =BMI<25) and Obese group (25< or =BMI). Among male students, 2.4% belong to the UW group, 45.0% to the NW+OW group and 52.6% belong to the obese group, while 10.4% of female students belong to the UW group, 71.9% to the NW + OW group and 17.7% of female students belong to the Obese group. Differences among male and female students were statistically significant (p<0.001). Students with higher BMI showed significantly higher bone health status. Male students did not show any significant differences in nutrients intakes by BMI groups while female students showed the higher intakes of energy, protein, pyridoxin, phosphorus, iron and zinc among NW + OW group than other groups (p < 0.05). The qualitative and quantitative evaluation of diet by BMI groups did not show any significant differences in both male and female students. The result of the multiple regression analyses showed that the body fat and bone status was negatively related while energy intake was positively related with the bone status. These results revealed that bone health status was positively affected by BMI but not by body fat. In conclusion, among those who are at their twenties, the period when the bone density becomes maximized, body fat may negatively affect bone health unlike during other life cycle stages.
Adipose Tissue ; Body Composition ; Bone Density ; Diet ; Energy Intake ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Female ; Humans ; Iron ; Life Cycle Stages ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Phosphorus ; Pyridoxine ; Zinc

PURPOSE: To compare histopathological and apoptotic changes of ophthalmoscopically similar subthreshold laser burns made by a low power-long duration (LD) and a high power-short duration (SD) subthreshold laser treatment. METHODS: Ophthalmoscopically invisible subthreshold laser burns with a 3.0 mm spot size were made using an 810 nm diode laser on the rabbit retina. Lasers were applied for 60 seconds in the LD group, and 1 second in the SD group. Laser power was adjusted to achieve ophthalmoscopically invisible burns just below the threshold. The rabbits were sacrificed at 6, 12, 24, and 72 hours, 1, 2, and 4 weeks after laser treatment. The eyes were processed for light microscopic examination using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), toluidine blue, and TdT-dUTP terminal nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Eyes were also processed for electron microscopic examination. RESULTS: The changes in the retina were different between the two groups. The LD group showed abundant TUNEL positive cells in all the retinal layers at 6 hours after laser treatment, and distinct histological changes in the outer nuclear layer. Conversely, in the SD group, apoptosis did not occur and histological alteration in the outer nuclear layer was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: Subthreshold laser treatment for 1 second reduced damage of the inner retinal layer and did not result in apoptosis in the neurosensory retina while maintaining a similar effect on the RPE and its adjacent region.
Apoptosis ; Burns ; Electrons ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Eye ; Hematoxylin ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Lasers, Semiconductor ; Light ; Macular Degeneration ; Rabbits ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde ; Tolonium Chloride

PURPOSE: We compared the surgical outcomes of vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy between younger and older groups. METHODS: We reviewed the data of 185 patients (227 eyes) who had undergone vitrectomy and endolaser photocoagulation and who were followed up for at least 6 months. We divided them into two age-based groups: less than 40 years of age (52 eyes), and more than 40 years of age (175 eyes). We compared preoperative status, surgical outcomes, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Postoperative visual acuity improved in 75.0% in the younger group, and 68.6% in the older group, and the difference was not statistically significant. The proportion of eyes with good visual acuity of 0.6 or better was statistically significantly (Ed-confirm this addition) higher in the younger group (30.8%) than in the older group (17.1%). The proportion of eyes with postoperative visual acuity of no light perception was statistically significantly higher in the younger group. The visual acuity in the patients who lacked photocoagulation was poorer in the younger group. Postoperative recurrent vitreous hemorrhage, corneal epithelial defect, and additional operation rate was more prevalent in the younger group. CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant difference in the overall postoperative results between younger and older patients. Early panretinal photocoagulation and vitrectomy can be helpful to maintain visual function of young patients. Special care is needed to prevent postoperative complications.
Diabetic Retinopathy* ; Humans ; Light Coagulation ; Postoperative Complications ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy* ; Vitreous Hemorrhage ; Young Adult

In this study, we prepared alcohol extracts of the larva, pupa, queen, and cocoon (clony) of B. ignitus, B. terrestris, and B. h. sapporoensis, and tested the anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts by using a rat model of adjuvant-induced edema. The extracts derived from the queen of B. ignitus, the queen of B. terrestris, and the cocoon of B. ignitus decreased hind paw edema after 1 day of i.p. administration. These extracts also induced vasorelaxation and NO production in calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells. These results suggest that bumblebee alcohol extracts has anti-inflammatory and vasorelaxant properties.
Animals ; Edema ; Endothelial Cells ; Larva ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pupa ; Rats ; Vasodilation

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcomes of scleral fixated posterior chamber intraocular lens in vitrectomized eyes according to IOL types. METHODS: Clinical outcomes of 28 eyes of 28 patients who underwent scleral fixated posterior chamber IOL after pars plana vitrectomy and lensectomy were evaluated according to the IOL type used: 19 eyes with PMMA lens (group 1) and 9 with Acrysof(R) foldable lens (group 2) RESULTS: Postoperative BCVA improved or was stabilized in 7 eyes (36.8%) of group 1, and 7 eyes (77.7%) of group 2 (P=0.04). Mean postoperative change in astigmatism was 1.19 +/- 0.79 diopter in group 1 and 0.62 +/- 0.47 diopter in group 2 (P=0.25). Estimated refractive error was -0.76 +/- 0.26 and -0.74 +/- 0.24 diopter in groups 1 and 2, respectively, and postoperative refractive error was -1.31 +/- 1.27 and -1.23 +/- 1.34 diopter, respectively. This showed a slight myopic shift in both groups. There were postoperative complications such as hyphema in 4 eyes (26.3%) in group 1 and in 1 eye (11.1%) in group 2, and transiently increased IOP in 5 eyes (26.3%) and in 1 eye (11.1%), respectively. The other complications that were found in group 1 were glaucoma, retinal detachment, choroidal detachment, and cystoid macular edema. CONCLUSIONS: Scleral fixation using foldable IOL is thought to be a relevant method in vitrectomized eyes, as it showed less postoperative astigmatism change and complications, and better visual outcome.
Astigmatism ; Choroid ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Hyphema ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Macular Edema ; Polymethyl Methacrylate* ; Postoperative Complications ; Refractive Errors ; Retinal Detachment ; Vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the postoperative outcome of Tecnis(R) ZCB00 1-Piece acrylic intraocular lens (IOL), the new single piece, aspheric IOL until 12 months. METHODS: Sixty eyes undergone cataract surgery using two different IOLs; The Tecnis(R) ZCB00 1-Piece Acrylic IOL (30 eyes) and the Tecnis(R) ZA9003 3-Piece Acrylic IOL (30 eyes). Cataract surgery was performed in the same period. All complicated cases were excluded. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive error, photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivity, total high order aberration, spherical aberration and anterior chamber depth were measured preoperatively and at 1, 6 and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in BCVA, refractive error, total high order aberration and spherical aberration all the time after surgery. Both groups have negative ocular spherical aberration until 12 months after surgery. 1-piece and 3-piece groups had different tendency in axial movement. But there were no statistically significant differences in anterior chamber depth measured at 1 week, 1, 6 and 12 months after surgery. There was no statistically significant difference in contrast sensitivity at 1, 6 and 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The Tecnis(R) ZCB00 1-Piece acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) showed comparable clinical outcomes to the Tecnis(R) ZA9003 3-Piece acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) until 12 months after cataract surgery. 1-piece and 3-piece IOL group had different tendency in axial movement. However, refraction remained stable during 12 months after surgery. Mostly, both IOL groups had negative ocular spherical aberration during whole follow-up period.
Anterior Chamber ; Cataract ; Contrast Sensitivity ; Eye ; Follow-Up Studies ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Refractive Errors ; Visual Acuity

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of neuronal disorders including brain ischemic injury. Thioredoxin 1 (Trx1), a 12 kDa oxidoreductase, has anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic functions in various cells. It has been highly implicated in brain ischemic injury. However, the protective mechanism of Trx1 against hippocampal neuronal cell death is not identified yet. Using a cell permeable Tat-Trx1 protein, protective mechanism of Trx1 against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death was examined using HT-22 cells and an ischemic animal model. Transduced Tat-Trx1 markedly inhibited intracellular ROS levels, DNA fragmentation, and cell death in H 2O 2-treatment HT-22 cells. Tat-Trx1 also significantly inhibited phosphorylation of ASK1 and MAPKs in signaling pathways of HT-22 cells. In addition, Tat-Trx1 regulated expression levels of Akt, NF-κB, and apoptosis related proteins. In an ischemia animal model, Tat-Trx1 markedly protected hippocampal neuronal cell death and reduced astrocytes and microglia activation. These findings indicate that transduced Tat-Trx1 might be a potential therapeutic agent for treating ischemic injury.

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of neuronal disorders including brain ischemic injury. Thioredoxin 1 (Trx1), a 12 kDa oxidoreductase, has anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic functions in various cells. It has been highly implicated in brain ischemic injury. However, the protective mechanism of Trx1 against hippocampal neuronal cell death is not identified yet. Using a cell permeable Tat-Trx1 protein, protective mechanism of Trx1 against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death was examined using HT-22 cells and an ischemic animal model. Transduced Tat-Trx1 markedly inhibited intracellular ROS levels, DNA fragmentation, and cell death in H 2O 2-treatment HT-22 cells. Tat-Trx1 also significantly inhibited phosphorylation of ASK1 and MAPKs in signaling pathways of HT-22 cells. In addition, Tat-Trx1 regulated expression levels of Akt, NF-κB, and apoptosis related proteins. In an ischemia animal model, Tat-Trx1 markedly protected hippocampal neuronal cell death and reduced astrocytes and microglia activation. These findings indicate that transduced Tat-Trx1 might be a potential therapeutic agent for treating ischemic injury.