This prospective observational case series study included 6 eyes of 6 consecutive glaucomatous patients. Each patient underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin C, and received a 1.25 mg of subconjunctival bevacizumab injection at completion of the trabeculectomy. Study eyes included two with neovascular glaucoma, three with uveitic glaucoma, and one with secondary glaucoma following vitrectomy. All eyes had undergone failed glaucoma laser/surgical treatment or an intraocular surgical procedure. Intraocular pressure (IOP) at the following postoperative visits: preoperative, 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, and 6 months, was measured. We also evaluated postoperative bleb findings and complications. IOP measured at each visit was 37.5+/-14.4 mmHg, 6.2+/-3.4 mmHg, 8.3+/-7.2 mmHg, 12.0+/-4.4 mmHg, 10.8+/-3.1 mmHg, and 12.2+/-3.3 mmHg, respectively, for each visit. All eyes had functioning blebs with normal IOP at postoperative 6 months with no additional IOP-lowering medication.
Adult ; Aged ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/*administration & dosage ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/*administration & dosage ; Conjunctiva ; Female ; Glaucoma/*drug therapy/etiology/*surgery ; Glaucoma, Neovascular/drug therapy/surgery ; Humans ; Injections, Intraocular ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Trabeculectomy/*methods ; Uveitis/complications ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/*antagonists & inhibitors ; Vitrectomy/adverse effects

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the lives of small independent restaurant owners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The participants were 15 small independent restaurant owners operating independent small restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected individually through in-depth interviews from September 30, 2022, to January 20, 2023. The transcribed interview content analyzed using Corbin and Strauss’s grounded theory approach. Results: Analysis of the psychological resistance experience of small independent restaurant owners with the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in 6 themes, 15 sub-themes, and 40 codes. The core category is revealed as the struggle for survival under the blind spot of uncertainty and helplessness. As a result of axial coding based on the paradigm model, the casual condition was operational difficulties in restaurants affected by the impact of COVID-19, and the contextual condition was bewilderment due to unprecedented circumstances. The central phenomenon was a life shattered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervening condition was enduring adversity with hope. The action/interaction strategies to control the phenomenon revealed ongoing struggles in the face of the hardships. In consequence, fostering resilience amid grappling with feelings of helplessness was revealed. Conclusion This study lays the groundwork for designing successful COVID-19 rehabilitation programs. This study shows that the improved climate of the small restaurant industry plays an important role in alleviating the burden of small independent restaurant owners.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the lives of small independent restaurant owners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The participants were 15 small independent restaurant owners operating independent small restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected individually through in-depth interviews from September 30, 2022, to January 20, 2023. The transcribed interview content analyzed using Corbin and Strauss’s grounded theory approach. Results: Analysis of the psychological resistance experience of small independent restaurant owners with the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in 6 themes, 15 sub-themes, and 40 codes. The core category is revealed as the struggle for survival under the blind spot of uncertainty and helplessness. As a result of axial coding based on the paradigm model, the casual condition was operational difficulties in restaurants affected by the impact of COVID-19, and the contextual condition was bewilderment due to unprecedented circumstances. The central phenomenon was a life shattered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervening condition was enduring adversity with hope. The action/interaction strategies to control the phenomenon revealed ongoing struggles in the face of the hardships. In consequence, fostering resilience amid grappling with feelings of helplessness was revealed. Conclusion This study lays the groundwork for designing successful COVID-19 rehabilitation programs. This study shows that the improved climate of the small restaurant industry plays an important role in alleviating the burden of small independent restaurant owners.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the lives of small independent restaurant owners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The participants were 15 small independent restaurant owners operating independent small restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected individually through in-depth interviews from September 30, 2022, to January 20, 2023. The transcribed interview content analyzed using Corbin and Strauss’s grounded theory approach. Results: Analysis of the psychological resistance experience of small independent restaurant owners with the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in 6 themes, 15 sub-themes, and 40 codes. The core category is revealed as the struggle for survival under the blind spot of uncertainty and helplessness. As a result of axial coding based on the paradigm model, the casual condition was operational difficulties in restaurants affected by the impact of COVID-19, and the contextual condition was bewilderment due to unprecedented circumstances. The central phenomenon was a life shattered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervening condition was enduring adversity with hope. The action/interaction strategies to control the phenomenon revealed ongoing struggles in the face of the hardships. In consequence, fostering resilience amid grappling with feelings of helplessness was revealed. Conclusion This study lays the groundwork for designing successful COVID-19 rehabilitation programs. This study shows that the improved climate of the small restaurant industry plays an important role in alleviating the burden of small independent restaurant owners.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the lives of small independent restaurant owners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The participants were 15 small independent restaurant owners operating independent small restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected individually through in-depth interviews from September 30, 2022, to January 20, 2023. The transcribed interview content analyzed using Corbin and Strauss’s grounded theory approach. Results: Analysis of the psychological resistance experience of small independent restaurant owners with the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in 6 themes, 15 sub-themes, and 40 codes. The core category is revealed as the struggle for survival under the blind spot of uncertainty and helplessness. As a result of axial coding based on the paradigm model, the casual condition was operational difficulties in restaurants affected by the impact of COVID-19, and the contextual condition was bewilderment due to unprecedented circumstances. The central phenomenon was a life shattered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervening condition was enduring adversity with hope. The action/interaction strategies to control the phenomenon revealed ongoing struggles in the face of the hardships. In consequence, fostering resilience amid grappling with feelings of helplessness was revealed. Conclusion This study lays the groundwork for designing successful COVID-19 rehabilitation programs. This study shows that the improved climate of the small restaurant industry plays an important role in alleviating the burden of small independent restaurant owners.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the lives of small independent restaurant owners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The participants were 15 small independent restaurant owners operating independent small restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected individually through in-depth interviews from September 30, 2022, to January 20, 2023. The transcribed interview content analyzed using Corbin and Strauss’s grounded theory approach. Results: Analysis of the psychological resistance experience of small independent restaurant owners with the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in 6 themes, 15 sub-themes, and 40 codes. The core category is revealed as the struggle for survival under the blind spot of uncertainty and helplessness. As a result of axial coding based on the paradigm model, the casual condition was operational difficulties in restaurants affected by the impact of COVID-19, and the contextual condition was bewilderment due to unprecedented circumstances. The central phenomenon was a life shattered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervening condition was enduring adversity with hope. The action/interaction strategies to control the phenomenon revealed ongoing struggles in the face of the hardships. In consequence, fostering resilience amid grappling with feelings of helplessness was revealed. Conclusion This study lays the groundwork for designing successful COVID-19 rehabilitation programs. This study shows that the improved climate of the small restaurant industry plays an important role in alleviating the burden of small independent restaurant owners.

This study investigated how three Asian countries–Republic of Korea (ROK), Republic of China (Taiwan), and Singapore–considered as standouts, responded to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in terms of governance system, health sector innovation, and social distancing to draw lessons that other countries can learn from. The countries were commonly in success of the response in early stage of the pandemic thanks to their effective and efficient strategies paired with advanced information and communications technology (ICT). Consequently, the three jurisdictions reported lower confirmed cases as well as fatality rate of the infectious disease compared to other high-income countries. In addition, the countries’ previous experiences with other pandemics, including influenza A, Middle East respiratory syndrome, and severe acute respiratory syndrome, enabled them to establish resilient public health systems and gain public acceptance to governmental control or surveillance during national infectious disease-related crises outbreaks. Advanced ICT infrastructure and digital technology were used as effective tools for testing, tracing, and treatment of the pandemic in collaboration with the private sector as a crucial player. The ROK, Taiwan, and Singapore adopted different strategies between containment and mitigation policy to flatten the epidemic curves effectively according to their own situation and judgement. Despite the exemplary aspect of the three nations in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, a few limitations were also observed in terms of vaccination and unequal consequences of the pandemic among people. These should be further discussed in order to be prepared for future pandemics.

PURPOSE: To compare conventional laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) and LPI combined with laser peripheral iridoplasty in eyes with primary angle closure suspect (PACS) by assessment of anterior chamber dimensional changes using a Pentacam. METHODS: Forty-eight eyes of 24 subjects with bilateral PACS were recruited consecutively. Each eye was randomly allocated to treatment with conventional LPI, argon LPI only, or LPI plus iridoplasty, which consisted of simultaneous argon LPI and peripheral iridoplasty. Anterior chamber measurements were performed on each eye using a Pentacam, both before and after treatment. Mean anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber volume (ACV), and anterior chamber angle were measured, and topographic ACD analysis was performed. Results were compared between the two treatment groups. RESULTS: After treatment with either conventional LPI or LPI plus iridoplasty, the mean ACD and ACV increased significantly. Topographic ACD analysis revealed that the mid-to-peripheral ACD increase was significantly greater in the LPI plus iridoplasty group than in eyes treated with conventional LPI. Intraocular pressure changes and post-LPI complications did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with conventional LPI, our study showed that LPI plus iridoplasty improved the mid-to-peripheral ACD increase. This procedure may have a role as an adjunct for reducing angle closure by simultaneously eliminating pupillary and non-pupillary block components.
Adult ; Aged ; Anterior Chamber/*pathology/surgery ; Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological/*instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma, Angle-Closure/pathology/physiopathology/*surgery ; Gonioscopy ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Iridectomy/*methods ; Iris/pathology/*surgery ; Laser Therapy/*methods ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Tonometry, Ocular

PURPOSE: To report a case of ab interno trabeculotomy with Trabectome(R) (NeoMedix Corp., CA, USA) conducted on a refractory primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patient. CASE SUMMARY: Trabectome(R) has microelectrocautery with simultaneous infusion and aspiration of debris and ablates a segment of trabecular meshwork and the inner wall of Schlemm's canal. The patient, a 54-year-old man had uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) with topical anti-glaucoma medications after trabeculectomy and Ahmed valve implantation for POAG. For the patient, ab interno trabeculotomy with Trabectome(R) was performed. There were no other postoperative complications except for microhyphema immediately after surgery. The IOP was controlled between 14 to 24 mm Hg up to 3 months postoperatively with topical anti-glaucoma medications (Cosopt(R), Alphagan-P(R), Lumigan(R)). CONCLUSIONS: Ab interno trabeculotomy with Trabectome(R) appears to offer a newer method of lowering IOP in POAG than conventional trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage device surgery.
Drainage ; Glaucoma ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Trabecular Meshwork ; Trabeculectomy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of mitomycin C on rabbit keratocytes for their potential to modulate corneal stromal wound healing. We also investigated the pathway on which the modulation occurs. METHODS: Keratocytes were isolated from New Zealand White Rabbits and cultured. We used Hoechst stain and flowcytometric analysis with Annexin V to identify the kind of response that mitomycin C induced from the keratocytes. After cultured keratocytes were exposed to 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.04%, and 0.06% mitomycin C, we evaluated the response with LDH assay. Next, after exposing the keratocytes to 0.01% mitomycin C, we evaluated the responses with LDH assay at 6, 12, and 24 hours. Keratocytes were preincubated in various concentrations of CPP32-like protease inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK(R)), specific caspase-8 inhibitor (Z-IETD-FMK(R)), and specific caspase-9 inhibitor (Z-LEHD-FMK(R)), then treated with 0.01% mitomycin C. Twelve hours later, an LDH assay was performed. Cytochrome C immunostain was done after exposure to 0.01% mitomycin C. RESULTS: We observed shrinkage of cytoplasm, formation of apoptotic bodies, and nuclear fragmentation on Hoechst staining. In flowcytometric analysis, the cells showed apoptotic change. LDH activities increased significantly at a concentration of 0.005% and greater and were time-dependent until 24 hours. CPP32-like protease inhibitor decreased the LDH activity, but there was no statistical significance. Specific caspase-8 and -9 inhibitors significantly reduced the LDH activities that were induced by mitomycin C. The keratocytes which had been pretreated with mitomycin C were stained with cytochrome C antibody. CONCLUSIONS: Mitomycin C induces apoptosis, rather than necrosis, in cultured corneal keratocytes. This apoptosis occurs via the caspase pathway, and is especially related to the mitochondrial pathway, and caspases 8, and 9.
Annexin A5 ; Apoptosis* ; Caspase 8 ; Caspase 9 ; Caspases ; Corneal Keratocytes ; Cytochromes c ; Cytoplasm ; Mitochondria ; Mitomycin* ; Necrosis ; Protease Inhibitors ; Rabbits ; Wound Healing