Purpose: This study aimed to investigate changes in cytokine levels after intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods: In a prospective interventional trial, 12 eyes from 12 patients with chronic CSC and six eyes from six patients who underwent cataract surgery were included as controls. Patients diagnosed as with CSC received a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL). Aqueous humor samples were collected from the patients and controls. Best-corrected visual acuity and foveal thickness were evaluated, and aqueous samples were obtained before and 4 weeks after injection. The aqueous concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, interferon-induced protein (IP)-10, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured using a multiplex bead assay. Results: After injection, the foveal thickness decreased significantly from 328.08 μm (range, 210–477 μm) to 283.91 μm (range, 168–356 μm; p = 0.048), but the best-corrected visual acuity was not significantly different (p = 0.066). The aqueous levels of IL-8 increased significantly from 3.3 pg/mL (range, 1.5–8.3 pg/mL) to 4.7 pg/mL (range, 2.2–11.6 pg/mL) at 4 weeks after the injection (p = 0.046). The aqueous levels of VEGF decreased significantly from 31.4 pg/mL (range, 17.0–53.3 pg/mL) to 15.2 pg/mL (range, 7.7–21.5 pg/mL; p < 0.01). No significant changes in levels of IL-6 (p = 0.455), IP-10 (p = 0.055), MCP-1 (p = 0.076), and PDGF-AA (p = 0.339) were noted 4 weeks after injection. Conclusions In this study we found intravitreal bevacizumab injection decreased VEGF and increased IL-8 in the eyes of patients with chronic CSC. This study suggests the possibility that the pathogenesis of CSC may be related to abnormal circulation of the choroidal blood vessels through VEGF and IL-8 cytokine level changes.

PURPOSE: Benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is one of the most common and benign focal epilepsy syndromes during childhood. In this study, we analyzed the clinical features and electroencephalogram (EEG) of BECT patients to determine if there were any predictive factors for seizures or abnormal EEG findings lasting longer than the average. METHODS: We studied 49 patients who were diagnosed with BECTS at the Department of Pediatrics, Chonnam National University Hospital and were 18 years of age or older at the time of the study. Differences in clinical course according to EEG features, treatment duration, abnormal EEG duration, seizure development period, and time to achieving the first normal EEG were analyzed. RESULTS: Average onset age was 8.3±1.9 years and follow-up duration was 4.2±2.4 years. The average seizure-free age was 9.5±2.0 years, and abnormal EEG-free age was 11.6±2.1 years. Younger-onset patients had a longer duration of medication (P=0.04). Patients who needed shorter time to achieving the first normal EEG had a shorter seizure development period (P=0.02). Patients who did not show typical EEG findings consistent with BECTS had a significantly longer duration of medication (P<0.01) and seizure development period (P=0.02), and abnormal EEG duration (P= 0.01). The ratio of abnormal findings in the first three EEGs was significantly correlated with the seizure development period, abnormal EEG duration, and duration of medication (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Although BECTS is known to take a benign course, the actual clinical course varied from patient to patient, and these variations may be predicted by analyzing clinical factors or EEGs.
Age of Onset ; Child* ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsies, Partial ; Epilepsy* ; Epilepsy, Rolandic ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Pediatrics ; Seizures

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate dietary intakes and nutritional status among Uganda primary school children from two selected schools in urban and rural areas. Methods: Data were collected from 350 pupils (6-14 years) in Mpigi district, Uganda. All participants were offered a school lunch meal (usually maize porridge and boiled beans). Dietary survey was conducted in October 2016. Data for dietary intake levels were collected by the 24-hour recall method with trained school staffs. The data were converted into nutrient intakes using the CAN-Pro 5.0 Program and compared with KDRIs to evaluate the nutritional status of the subjects. Diet quality indexes such as nutrient density, nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), and index of nutritional quality (INQ) and a diet diversity index such as diet diversity score (DDS) were calculated to evaluate nutritional status among subjects. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical programs. Results: Results show that the intakes of most nutrients were significantly different by schools. The nutritional status of micro-nutrients was very low in both schools according to analysis of nutritional indexes such as NARs and INQs. Students from both schools should improve intakes of micro-nutrients related to child growth such as calcium, Vitamin B6, zinc and folate. According to the analysis of dietary diversity, there was difference in dietary patterns by schools presumably due to their locations. Conclusions This suggests that current meals could not provide adequate nutrients for the subjects and urgent nutrition interventions for school food services are needed to improve their nutritional well-being. New foods supplements based on local cuisine are also needed to ensure dietary diversity and sustainable development plans.

Behcet's disease (BD) is characterized by recurrent oro-genital ulcers, skin lesions, and intraocular inflammation, but can also affect various internal organs. Vascular BD usually presents with luminal stenosis, thrombosis, or aneurysm formation in aorta and peripheral arteries. However, intracranial artery involvement has been uncommonly reported in patients with BD and BD cases with lenticulostriate artery aneurysm have been rarely described in the English-language literature. We hereby reported the first case of a Korean BD patient presenting with a ruptured lenticulostriate artery aneurysm, who received medical treatment, and reviewed the literature on reported cases of BD with intracranial aneurysms.
Aneurysm* ; Aorta ; Arteries* ; Basal Ganglia Cerebrovascular Disease ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Phenobarbital ; Rupture* ; Skin Ulcer ; Thrombosis

BACKGREOUND: The aim of this study was to compare the respiratory mechanics between young and elderly during enflurane anesthesia using flow-interruption technique. METHODS: Fourteen patients were divided into 2 groups; for young aged group (Group Y)(24.9 4.9 years) and old aged group (Group O)(73.4 5.6 years). After anesthetic induction, endotracheal intubation was performed with Univent tube, and then tracheal pressure was measured at the distal end of the tube. 1.5 vol% of enflurane and 0.15 mg/kg of vecuronium were administered to maintain anesthesia. IMV (intermittent mandatory ventilation) was applied with Siemens Servo 900C ventilator and anesthetic gases were supplied via low pressure inlet of the ventilator. Tidal volume (10 ml/kg) was fixed during measurements for each patient. After stabilization of vital signs, respiratory parameters were measured before surgery. End-inspiratory occlusion was applied at least 3 seconds. Pressure, flow and volume were monitored and recorded with Bicore CP100 pulmonary monitor. The data were transfered to a PC and analyzed by a processing software. Total respiratory (Rrs), airway (Raw) and tissue (Rve) resistances, and dynamic (Cdyn) and static (Csta) compliances were calculated. Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences for the Cdyn and Csta values between the two groups. But the values of Rrs, Raw and Rve were higher in the Group O than the Group Y. CONCLUSION: During enflurane anesthesia, the values of Rrs, Raw and Rve were higher in the Group O than the Group Y. To elucidate the exact causes of the above results, further studies are needed.
Aged* ; Anesthesia* ; Anesthetics, Inhalation ; Bays ; Enflurane* ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Respiratory Mechanics* ; Tidal Volume ; Vecuronium Bromide ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Vital Signs

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of oral clonidine premedication on respiratory mechanics by tracheal intubation in smokers. METHODS: Thirty male smoker patients were randomly divided into 3 groups. For group 1 (n = 10), l microgram/kg of clonidine was premedicated. For group 2 (n = 10), 2 microgram/kg of clonidine was premedicated. Group 3 (n = 10, control group) was the no premedication group. After anesthetic induction, CMV was applied with a Siemens Servo 900C ventilator, and anesthetic gases were supplied via the low pressure inlet of the ventilator. Tidal volume (10 ml/kg) was fixed during measurements for each patient. End-inspiratory occlusion was applied for at least 3 seconds and tracheal pressure was measured at the distal end of the endotracheal tube. Pressure, flow and volume were monitored and recorded with a Bicore CP-100 pulmonary monitor. Data were measured after 2 (100% O2) and 5 (1.5 vol% enflurane with 50% N2O) minutes of tracheal intubation. Data were transferred to PC and analyzed by processing software (ANADAT). Total respiratory (Rrs), airway (Raw) and tissue (Rve) resistances, along with static (Cstat), dynamic (Cdyn) compliances were calculated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences for Rrs, Raw, Rve, Cstat and Cdyn in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Oral clonidine premedication in dosages up to 2 microgram/kg do not affect the changes of respiratory mechanics caused by tracheal intubation in smokers.
Anesthetics, Inhalation ; Bays ; Clonidine* ; Enflurane ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Male ; Mechanics* ; Premedication* ; Respiratory Mechanics ; Respiratory System* ; Tidal Volume ; Ventilators, Mechanical

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of oral clonidine premedication on respiratory mechanics by tracheal intubation in smokers. METHODS: Thirty male smoker patients were randomly divided into 3 groups. For group 1 (n = 10), l microgram/kg of clonidine was premedicated. For group 2 (n = 10), 2 microgram/kg of clonidine was premedicated. Group 3 (n = 10, control group) was the no premedication group. After anesthetic induction, CMV was applied with a Siemens Servo 900C ventilator, and anesthetic gases were supplied via the low pressure inlet of the ventilator. Tidal volume (10 ml/kg) was fixed during measurements for each patient. End-inspiratory occlusion was applied for at least 3 seconds and tracheal pressure was measured at the distal end of the endotracheal tube. Pressure, flow and volume were monitored and recorded with a Bicore CP-100 pulmonary monitor. Data were measured after 2 (100% O2) and 5 (1.5 vol% enflurane with 50% N2O) minutes of tracheal intubation. Data were transferred to PC and analyzed by processing software (ANADAT). Total respiratory (Rrs), airway (Raw) and tissue (Rve) resistances, along with static (Cstat), dynamic (Cdyn) compliances were calculated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences for Rrs, Raw, Rve, Cstat and Cdyn in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Oral clonidine premedication in dosages up to 2 microgram/kg do not affect the changes of respiratory mechanics caused by tracheal intubation in smokers.
Anesthetics, Inhalation ; Bays ; Clonidine* ; Enflurane ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Male ; Mechanics* ; Premedication* ; Respiratory Mechanics ; Respiratory System* ; Tidal Volume ; Ventilators, Mechanical

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to identify the effects of worker's stair-climbing on blood pressure, lipid profiles, and physical fitness. METHODS: After recruiting 114 healthy adult women aged 20 to 64 years who have had sedentary for more than 3 months, we divided into two groups: the stair group (SG, n=57) and control group (CG, n=57). SG was supposed to do stair-climbing in daily life like workplace and home for 12 weeks. To investigate the effects of the lifestyle changing of stair-climbing, resting blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and lipid profiles were measured before and after 12-week stair-climbing. Also, physical fitness items such as peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), back muscle strength, sit and reach, isokinetic strength of knee joint, static and dynamic balance were measured. RESULTS: As a result of the 12-week lifestyle changing of stair-climbing, resting systolic blood pressure (SBP; p < 0.05) and HR (p < 0.01) were significantly decreased in SG. Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) was significantly reduced in SG (p < 0.05). There was a significant improvement in the VO2peak (p < 0.001). There were a significant improvement in back strength (p < 0.001) and bilateral knee extensor (60°/sec: p < 0.05, p < 0.01, 180°/sec: p < 0.01, p < 0.01) and knee flexor (180°/sec: p < 0.01, p < 0.05) of isokinetic strength. There were significant improvements in static balance of one leg standing eye-closed (p < 0.05) and dynamic balance of left/right velocity (p < 0.01), forward/backward velocity (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In this study, 12 weeks of lifestyle changing of stair-climbing improved SBP, resting HR, LDL-C, VO2peak, back and knee strength, static and dynamic balance as well as increased physical activity volume of stair-climbing in the daily living.
Adult ; Back Muscles ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Leg ; Life Style ; Motor Activity ; Oxygen Consumption ; Physical Fitness

Chronic sclerosing mediastinitis is a rare disease of unknown etiology, pathologically characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis of mediastinal soft tissue. The process is often progressive and can occur either focally or diffusely throughout the mediastinum. This can result in compression of adjacent mediastinal structures, most commonly the low-pressure superior vena cava but also the pulmonary artery and vein, trachea and bronchi, esophagus and can result in a variety of functional and roentgenographic manifestation and occasionally death. We experienced a case of chronic sclerosing mediastinitis of unknown cause, which was confirmed by biopsy with thoracotomy, so reported it with a review of literature.
Biopsy ; Bronchi ; Esophagus ; Fibrosis ; Inflammation ; Mediastinitis* ; Mediastinum ; Pulmonary Artery ; Rare Diseases ; Thoracotomy ; Trachea ; Veins ; Vena Cava, Superior

Duodenal diverticula are first reported by Chomel in 1710. Duodenal diverticula are relatively common in adults with a prevalence of 23% in ERCP. The most duodenal diverticulum is asymptomatic. Complications such as obstruction, cholangitis, biliary stones, ulceration, perforation and hemorrhage can occur in approximately 10%. However, relatively few cases of bleeding from a duodenal diverticulum have been reported. The cause of bleeding from a duodenal diverticulum is uncertain and various suspected etiologies were suggested, such as ectopic gastric mucosa, stasis-induced ulceration, erosion into major vessels, aortoenteric fistulas, intradiverticular polyp, aspirin-induced erosion. We report a case of a bleeding duodenal diverticulum by a Dieulafoy-like lesion and suggest this lesion as one of possible causes of bleeding in duodenal diverticulum.
Adult ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangitis ; Diverticulum* ; Fistula ; Gastric Mucosa ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Polyps ; Prevalence ; Ulcer