Purpose: To investigate the changes in retinal and choroidal vessels according to changes in thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED). Methods: A total of 41 patients (82 eyes) with TED were enrolled. The subjects were divided into two groups: an experimental group with clinically significant TSI sample-to-reference ratio (%) abnormalities (> 140) and a control group. Within the experimental group, the median value of 451 was used to further classify patients into groups A and B. Using optical coherence tomography/angiography, the sizes of the superficial fovea avascular zone (sFAZ) and deep fovea avascular zone, the diameter of the macular center 1 mm fovea, 3 mm parafovea superficial capillary plexus density (sCPD), deep capillary plexus density, choroidal thickness, and choroidal vascularity index were measured. Results: In the experimental group, the change in the TSI value and the change in the 3 mm parafovea sCPD showed a significant positive correlation (p = 0.040) with a correlation coefficient of 0.307. Among group B patients of the experimental group, the changes in the TSI value and sFAZ showed a strong negative correlation (-0.417), but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.053). Conclusions In TED patients with clinically significant TSI levels (> 140), blood vessel density in the superficial layer of the 3 mm parafovea significantly increased with TSI. Especially in the high TSI (≥ 451) group, superficial retinal vessel density.

Purpose: To investigate the changes in retinal and choroidal vessels according to changes in thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED). Methods: A total of 41 patients (82 eyes) with TED were enrolled. The subjects were divided into two groups: an experimental group with clinically significant TSI sample-to-reference ratio (%) abnormalities (> 140) and a control group. Within the experimental group, the median value of 451 was used to further classify patients into groups A and B. Using optical coherence tomography/angiography, the sizes of the superficial fovea avascular zone (sFAZ) and deep fovea avascular zone, the diameter of the macular center 1 mm fovea, 3 mm parafovea superficial capillary plexus density (sCPD), deep capillary plexus density, choroidal thickness, and choroidal vascularity index were measured. Results: In the experimental group, the change in the TSI value and the change in the 3 mm parafovea sCPD showed a significant positive correlation (p = 0.040) with a correlation coefficient of 0.307. Among group B patients of the experimental group, the changes in the TSI value and sFAZ showed a strong negative correlation (-0.417), but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.053). Conclusions In TED patients with clinically significant TSI levels (> 140), blood vessel density in the superficial layer of the 3 mm parafovea significantly increased with TSI. Especially in the high TSI (≥ 451) group, superficial retinal vessel density.

OBJECTIVES: Subjective life expectancy (SLE) has been found to show a significant association with mortality. In this study, we aimed to investigate the major factors affecting SLE. We also examined whether any differences existed between SLE and actuarial life expectancy (LE) in Korea. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 1000 individuals in Korea aged 20-59 was conducted. Participants were asked about SLE via a self-reported questionnaire. LE from the National Health Insurance database in Korea was used to evaluate differences between SLE and actuarial LE. Age-adjusted least-squares means, correlations, and regression analyses were used to test the relationship of SLE with four categories of predictors: demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, health behaviors, and psychosocial factors. RESULTS: Among the 1000 participants, women (mean SLE, 83.43 years; 95% confidence interval, 82.41 to 84.46 years; 48% of the total sample) had an expected LE 1.59 years longer than that of men. The socioeconomic factors of household income and housing arrangements were related to SLE. Among the health behaviors, smoking status, alcohol status, and physical activity were associated with SLE. Among the psychosocial factors, stress, self-rated health, and social connectedness were related to SLE. SLE had a positive correlation with actuarial estimates (r=0.61, p<0.001). Gender, household income, history of smoking, and distress were related to the presence of a gap between SLE and actuarial LE. CONCLUSIONS: Demographic factors, socioeconomic factors, health behaviors, and psychosocial factors showed significant associations with SLE, in the expected directions. Further studies are needed to determine the reasons for these results.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Demography ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Housing ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Expectancy* ; Male ; Mortality ; Motor Activity ; National Health Programs ; Psychology ; Republic of Korea ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Socioeconomic Factors

Purpose: To investigate the relative risks (RRs) for dementia among individuals with glaucoma. Methods: We conducted a search of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases for observational cohort studies examining the association between glaucoma and dementia until March 2023. Two authors independently screened all titles and abstracts according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Pooled RR and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were generated using random-effect models. Results: The meta-analysis included 18 cohort studies conducted in eight countries and involving 4,975,325 individuals. The pooled RR for the association between glaucoma and all-cause dementia was 1.314 (95% CI, 1.099–1.572; I2 = 95%). The pooled RRs for the associations of open-angle glaucoma with Alzheimer dementia and Parkinson disease were 1.287 (95% CI, 1.007–1.646; I2 = 96%) and 1.233 (95% CI, 0.677–2.243; I2 = 73%), respectively. The pooled RRs for the associations of angle-closure glaucoma with all-cause dementia and Alzheimer dementia were 0.978 (95% CI, 0.750–1.277; I2 = 17%) and 0.838 (95% CI, 0.421–1.669; I2 = 16%), respectively. No evidence of publication bias was detected in the Begg-Mazumdar adjusted rank correlation test (p = 0.47). Conclusions Based on current observational cohort studies, there is evidence supporting that glaucoma is a risk factor for dementia in the adult population.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence ratio of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in the Asian population. Methods: Systematic searches of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for population-based studies in Asia published until August 5, 2022. We conducted a meta-analysis for PACG to POAG prevalence ratio using inverse variance–weighted random-effects meta-analyses so as to combine the study-specific measures of association. Between-study outcome variation (i.e., heterogeneity) was quantified with the I2 statistic. The multiple meta-regression analyses were performed in order to further account for the reasons for heterogeneity. Results: Twenty studies, with a total study population of 52,522 individuals, had been conducted in 13 countries. The pooled PACG to POAG prevalence ratio was 2.204 (95% confidence interval, 1.617–3.004) with high heterogeneity (p < 0.001). In multiple meta-regression model, prevalence of POAG is the most important predictor for heterogeneity (model importance, 0.954), followed continent (0.508), and publication year (0.222). For every additional elevation of POAG prevalence (i.e., increase of 1.0%), the PACG to POAG prevalence ratio is expected to rise by 0.471. Conclusions We estimated the pooled PACG to POAG prevalence ratio in the Asian population. The POAG prevalence is the most important factor to determine the PACG to POAG prevalence ratio.

BACKGROUND: A co-inhibitory molecule, B7-H4, is believed to negatively regulate T cell immunity by suppressing T cell proliferation and inhibiting cytokine production. However, the mechanism behind B7-H4-mediated tolerance remains unclear. METHODS: Balb/c (H-2(d)) mice were fed with dendritic cell line, DC2.4 (H-2(b)) every day for 10 days. Meantime, mice were hydrodynamically injected with recombinant plasmid expressing B7-H4 fusion protein (B7-H4.hFc) or hFc via tail vein. One day after last feeding, mice were immunized with allogeneic B6 spleen cells. 14 days following immunization, mice were challenged with B6 spleen cells to ear back and the ear swelling was determined the next day. Subsequently, a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) was also performed and cytokines profiles from the reaction were examined by sandwich ELISA. Frequency of immunosuppressive cell population was assayed with flow cytometry and mRNA for FoxP3 was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Tolerant mice given plasmid expressing B7-H4.hFc showed a significant reduction in ear swelling compared to control mice. In addition, T cells from mice given B7-H4.hFc plasmid revealed a significant hyporesponsiveness of T cells against allogeneic spleen cells and showed a significant decrease in Th1 and Th2 cytokines such as IFN-gamma, IL-5, and TNF-alpha. Interestingly, flow cytometric analysis showed that the frequency of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs in spleen was increased in tolerant mice given recombinant B7-H4.hFc plasmid compared to control group. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that B7-H4 synergistically potentiates oral tolerance induced by allogeneic cells by increasing the frequency of FoxP3+ CD4+CD25+ Treg and reducing Th1 and Th2 cytokine production.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells ; Ear ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Immunization ; Interleukin-5 ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Mice ; Plasmids ; RNA, Messenger ; Spleen ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Veins

BACKGROUND: A co-inhibitory molecule, B7-H4, is believed to negatively regulate T cell immunity by suppressing T cell proliferation and inhibiting cytokine production. However, the mechanism behind B7-H4-mediated tolerance remains unclear. METHODS: Balb/c (H-2(d)) mice were fed with dendritic cell line, DC2.4 (H-2(b)) every day for 10 days. Meantime, mice were hydrodynamically injected with recombinant plasmid expressing B7-H4 fusion protein (B7-H4.hFc) or hFc via tail vein. One day after last feeding, mice were immunized with allogeneic B6 spleen cells. 14 days following immunization, mice were challenged with B6 spleen cells to ear back and the ear swelling was determined the next day. Subsequently, a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) was also performed and cytokines profiles from the reaction were examined by sandwich ELISA. Frequency of immunosuppressive cell population was assayed with flow cytometry and mRNA for FoxP3 was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Tolerant mice given plasmid expressing B7-H4.hFc showed a significant reduction in ear swelling compared to control mice. In addition, T cells from mice given B7-H4.hFc plasmid revealed a significant hyporesponsiveness of T cells against allogeneic spleen cells and showed a significant decrease in Th1 and Th2 cytokines such as IFN-gamma, IL-5, and TNF-alpha. Interestingly, flow cytometric analysis showed that the frequency of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs in spleen was increased in tolerant mice given recombinant B7-H4.hFc plasmid compared to control group. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that B7-H4 synergistically potentiates oral tolerance induced by allogeneic cells by increasing the frequency of FoxP3+ CD4+CD25+ Treg and reducing Th1 and Th2 cytokine production.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytokines ; Dendritic Cells ; Ear ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Immunization ; Interleukin-5 ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Mice ; Plasmids ; RNA, Messenger ; Spleen ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Veins