Dopaminergic projection to the hippocampus from the ventral tegmental area or locus ceruleus has been considered to play an essential role in the acquisition of novel information. Hence, the dopaminergic modulation of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus has been widely studied. We examined how the D1 and D2 receptors influenced the mGluR5-mediated synaptic plasticity of the temporoammonic-CA1 synapses and showed that the dopaminergic modulation of the temporoammonic-CA1 synapses was expressed in various ways. Our findings suggest that the dopaminergic system in the hippocampal CA1 region regulates the long-term synaptic plasticity and processing of the novel information.

PURPOSE: The transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous(TRAM) flap has become a reliable method for autogenous breast reconstruction. However, dissection of the tendinous intersections of rectus abdominis is technically difficult. The tendinous intersection has significant vascularity within its fascial layers raising in importance of technique in elevation. If tendinous intersections are damaged during the elevation of the rectus muscle, circulation to TRAM flap can be endangered. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the number of tendinous intersections and to predict anatomical position of the tendinous intersections. METHODS: We dissected 182 consecutive TRAM flaps and measured the distance between xiphoid process and each tendinous intersection and evaluated the statistic correlation among the distance, patient's height and position of umbilicus. RESULTS: In this study, in 30.7% of patients, two tendinous intersections were observed in one rectus abdominis muscle, in 67.7% three tendinous intersections, and in 1.6% four tendinous intersections, respectively. But there was no correlation between patient's height and the distance between xiphoid process and each tendinous intersection. CONCLUSION: It still remains difficult to predict the position of tendinous intersections just by topography before the dissection. Careful and meticulous dissection of the tendinous intersections is still required.
Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; Rectus Abdominis* ; Umbilicus

Purpose: We compared the cataract grades with slit lamp examination and anterior segment photography using the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS) III criteria. We also explored the effect of a yellow filter on the photographic results. Methods: Eighty eyes with cataracts were examined by three inspectors (1, 2, and 3). Anterior segment photographs taken by inspector 1 were divided into two groups depending on whether cortical opacity or nuclear sclerosis predominated. In each group, the cataract grades determined by inspector 1 on slit lamp examination and anterior segment photography were compared. Also, after randomly assigning the anterior segment photographs taken by inspector 1 to inspectors 2 and 3, the cataract grades of these photographs were compared to the grades of photographs taken by all inspectors using a yellow filter. Results: The average cortical opacity evaluated by inspector 1 on slit lamp examination (3.48 ± 0.91) was significantly higher than that apparent on anterior segment photographs (2.35 ± 0.77) (p < 0.001). In the photographs, the average cortical opacity when a yellow filter was used was significantly higher for both inspectors 1 (p < 0.001) and 2 (p = 0.022) than when the filter was absent. The average extent of nuclear sclerosis evaluated by inspector 1 on slit lamp examination (4.08 ± 0.94) was significantly higher than that of anterior segment photography (3.73 ± 1.24) (p = 0.042). Conclusions Cataract evaluation via anterior segment photography underestimates the extent of damage compared to direct slit lamp examination. However, use of a yellow filter during photography aids cataract evaluation, especially cortical opacity.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that Mentha arvensis water extract (MAWE) inhibited systemic anaphylaxis and histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) by compound 48/80. OBJECTIVE AND METHOD: This study was undertaken to determine the inhibitory effects of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated anaphylactic reaction by MAWE. This paper deals with an evaluation of the effect of MAWE on the anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE antibody induced anaphylactic reaction in rats. We also investigated the influence of MAWE on anti-DNP IgE antibody-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production. RESULTS: MAWE inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) when intravenously, intrap- eritoneally, and orally administered. MAWE dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from RPMC activated by anti-DNP IgE antibody. Moreover, MAWE had an inhibitory effect on anti-DNP IgE antibody induced TNF-alphaproduction from RPMC. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that MAWE inhibits the IgE-mediated anaphylactic reaction in rats.
Anaphylaxis* ; Animals ; Histamine Release ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Mast Cells ; Mentha* ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis ; Rats* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Water

This case report describes a case of self-inflicted chronic bacterial keratoconjunctivitis involving the patient's own semen. A 20-year-old male soldier was referred to our clinic for the evaluation of refractory chronic bacterial conjunctivitis. Over the previous 4 months, he had been treated for copious mucous discharge, conjunctival injection, and superficial punctate keratitis in both eyes at an army hospital and a local eye clinic. Despite the use of topical and systemic antibiotics according to the results of conjunctival swab culture, there was no improvement. During the repeated smear and culture of conjunctival swabs, surprisingly, a few sperm were detected on Gram staining, revealing that the condition was self-inflicted bacterial keratoconjunctivitis involving the patient's own semen. Thus, in cases of chronic keratoconjunctivitis that do not respond to appropriate antibiotic treatment, self-inflicted disease or malingering should be considered.
Chronic Disease ; Conjunctiva/*injuries/microbiology/pathology ; Cornea/microbiology/*pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Eye Infections, Bacterial/diagnosis/*etiology/microbiology ; Eye Injuries/*complications/diagnosis ; Humans ; Keratoconjunctivitis/diagnosis/*etiology/microbiology ; Male ; Self Mutilation/*complications/diagnosis ; *Semen ; Young Adult

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of intrascleral fixation of the three-piece intraocular lenses (IOLs) 2.5 mm posterior to the limbus with ciliary sulcus implantation and transscleral fixation 2.5 mm posterior to the limbus. Methods: Sixty-five eyes of 65 patients who underwent ciliary sulcus implantation or transscleral or intrascleral fixation of the AMO Sensar AR40e IOL were retrospectively reviewed. The postoperative refractive prediction error, back-calculated effective lens position (ELP), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and postoperative residual cylinder were compared. Results: There were significant differences in the median (interquartile range) postoperative refractive prediction error (diopters [D]) among the three groups (p < 0.001): for ciliary sulcus implantation (33 eyes), −0.89 D (−1.21 to −0.56 D); for transscleral fixation (10 eyes), −0.40 D (−0.78 to −0.22 D); and for intrascleral fixation (22 eyes), 0.01 D (−0.28 to 0.34 D). Significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed in the median back-calculated ELP: for ciliary sulcus implantation, 4.35 mm (3.95 to 4.55 mm); for transscleral fixation, 4.51 mm (4.34 to 4.76 mm); and for intrascleral fixation, 4.90 mm (4.56 to 5.35 mm). There were no differences in the median postoperative CDVA (0, 0.10, and 0 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, respectively; p = 0.083) and the residual cylinder (−0.75, −1.50, and −0.63 D, respectively; p = 0.074) among three groups. Conclusions Intrascleral fixation showed no myopic shift and the most posterior lens position, while ciliary sulcus implantation induced the greatest myopic shift and the most anterior lens position. However, there was no significant difference in the postoperative CDVA or astigmatism among the eyes with different IOL insertion methods, demonstrating good IOL stability and vision outcomes.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical features and visual outcome of infectious keratitis associated with orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lens in Korean pediatric patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients diagnosed with Ortho-K lens-related infectious keratitis from June 2005 to April 2020 at a tertiary referral hospital. Patients’ demographics, clinical features, microbiological evaluation, and treatment methods were assessed, and factors related to final visual outcomes were analyzed. Results: The study included 26 eyes from 26 patients (19 female and 7 male patients; mean age, 11.9 years), with an average Ortho-K lens wear duration of 33.7 ± 21.2 months. The highest number of cases occurred in summer (11 of 26 cases, 42.3%). Central or paracentral corneal lesions were observed in 25 cases (96.2%), with a mean corneal epithelial defect size of 5.13 mm2. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most commonly isolated organism (n = 5), followed by Serratia marcescens (n = 4). All patients responded to medical treatment without needing surgical intervention. 72% of cases achieved favorable visual outcomes (Snellen best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA] >6 / 12), while 8% experienced severe visual impairment (Snellen BCVA ≤6 / 60) due to residual central corneal opacities. Multivariable analysis showed that non-summer seasons (p = 0.043), duration from symptom onset to presentation (p = 0.040), and corneal epithelial defect size (p = 0.002) were significantly associated with final logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BCVA. Failed autorefraction at presentation due to an Ortho-K-related infectious keratitis lesion was a significant predictor of poor final visual outcome (Snellen BCVA ≤6 / 12; odds ratio, 38.995; p = 0.030). Conclusions Ortho-K lens-related infectious keratitis can lead to permanent corneal opacities and potentially devastating visual outcomes in children. Delayed time to presentation, large corneal lesions, failure of autorefraction, and non-summer seasons were associated with poorer outcomes. Proper education and early detection would be key to safe use of orthokeratology lenses in pediatric patients.

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify job competencies and needs for job education perceived by new community health practitioners. METHODS: This study used a qualitative research design. Eight new community health practitioners participated in this study. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Five job competencies were identified in this study, including primary care, public health management, interpersonal relationship, teaching and counseling, and leadership. The contents of job education that they needed were management of major symptoms and chronic diseases, understanding and prescription of medications, emergency responses and care, management of endemic diseases, planning and management of public health programs, writing official documentsand computer works, and leadership training. The learning methods they preferred were connecting theory and practice, situation- or case-based learning, skill- or practice-based learning, and increased opportunities of clinical practice. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study provided the direction of job education for new community health practitioners. Job education for new community health practitioners needs to consider the job competencies and educational needs identified in this study.
Chronic Disease ; Counseling ; Education ; Emergencies ; Endemic Diseases ; Leadership ; Learning ; Needs Assessment ; Prescriptions ; Primary Health Care ; Professional Competence ; Public Health ; Qualitative Research ; Writing

OBJECTIVES: A number of studies on the trends of socioeconomic differences in suicide mortality have indicated that these inequality gaps have widened over time and highlight that certain occupations have more suicide risk than others. However suicide rates according to occupation based socioeconomic position have not been frequently studied in Korea. The purpose of this study is to report trends and inequality of suicide according to occupation based social class during 1993-2007 in Korea and to identify occupations with significantly high standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) for both men and women. METHODS: Korean census records for the years 1995, 2000, and 2005 were linked with the cause of death records from Korean National Statistical Office (KNSO) for the periods 1993-1997, 1998-2003, and 2004-2007 respectively. This data was used to calculate age adjusted proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for both men and women aged 25~54 years according to five occupation based socioeconomic positions. RESULTS: Among men, the agricultural-fishery-forestry group had the greatest suicide rate (SMR: 341) with a high PMR (113) and the manual labor group showed the highest PMR (118), while the managers-professional occupation group showed the lowest sPMR (78) and SMR (21). Among women, the agricultural-fishery group had the highest score in SMR (316) and PMR (130), and the technical-artificer group showed the lowest sPMR (71) and SMR (27). The inequality gaps in the suicide mortality rate according to occupation had widened during 1998-2002, but showed a recovery trend plot after 2003. CONCLUSIONS: Although the occupation based socioeconomic inequalities show a recovery trend after 2003, the excess inequality from suicide remains as high as it was prior to the 2002 year in some occupational groups. The results of the current study indicate that the manual and agricultural-fishery-forestry groups were high risk groups of suicide.
Aged ; Cause of Death ; Censuses ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Occupational Groups ; Occupations ; Social Class ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Suicide

PURPOSE: Skin-sparing mastectomy(SSM) with immediate breast reconstruction is becoming a proved option for early-stage breast cancer patients. Recently, skin-sparing mastectomy with preserving the nipple- areolar complex is becoming popular procedure. METHODS: During a 13-month period, from April 2004 to January 2005, 101 cases of immediate breast reconstructions with pedicled TRAM flap were performed after 40 cases of nipple-areolar sparing mastectomies, 57 cases of skin-sparing mastectomies and 4 cases of modified radical mastectomies. RESULTS: During the 11 months follow up period, necrosis of mastectomy skin flap occurred in 17.5% (n=10) after skin-sparing mastectomy and necrosis of mastectomy skin flap and nipple-areolar necrosis occurred in 30%(n=12) after nipple-areolar sparing mastectomy. These complications were healed after simple dressing without any surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: Nipple-areolar sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction with TRAM flap is good option for early breast cancer patients and some modifications are needed to reduce skin necrosis.
Bandages ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mammaplasty* ; Mastectomy* ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Necrosis ; Skin