A 74-year-old man presented with pain and progressively worsening vision from 20 days ago in the left eye. His ophthalmological history was significant for cataract extraction, scleromalacia, and three surgeries for pterygium removal in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination was remarkable for a 4.5×4.0 mm sized epithelial defect, with corneal stromal infiltration and melting and a surrounding feathery margin. Corneal scraping was performed, and culture of specimen demonstrated mold that grew on Sabouraud dextrose agar. The isolate was finally identified as Corynespora cassiicola based on DNA sequencing analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) with maximum identity of 100%. The patient was treated successfully with intracameral amphotericin B injection and topical voriconazole and amphotericin B. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of mycotic keratitis caused by a plant pathogen, Corynespora cassiicola, in Korea.

Several recent studies have reported that reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), play important roles in various cellular signaling networks. NADPH oxidase (Nox) isozymes have been shown to mediate receptor-mediated ROS generation for physiological signaling processes involved in cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Detectable intracellular levels of ROS can be induced by the electron leakage from mitochondrial respiratory chain as well as by activation of cytochrome p450, glucose oxidase and xanthine oxidase, leading to oxidative stress. The up-regulation and the hyper-activation of NADPH oxidases (Nox) also likely contribute to oxidative stress in pathophysiologic stages. Elevation of the renal ROS level through hyperglycemia-mediated Nox activation results in the oxidative stress which induces a damage to kidney tissues, causing to diabetic nephropathy (DN). Nox inhibitors are currently being developed as the therapeutics of DN. In this review, we summarize Nox-mediated ROS generation and development of Nox inhibitors for therapeutics of DN treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Studies on oral health care in North Korea are being pursued in South Korea. However, the covertness of North Korea offers substantial resistance to the access of information from the country, including in the field of oral health care. In this study, we explored North Korea's oral health care policy and its status in the Kim Jong-Un Era. METHODS: We used existing information from Internet searches and also interviewed three health care professionals who had recently contact with North Korea. RESULTS: At present, there are four development policies of oral health care in North Korea: expansion of dental institutions and resource support, strengthening the prevention and treatment of dental diseases, improvement of dental prosthetics, and increasing the responsibility and role of the dental workforce. In addition, there has been an increasing interest in children's oral health with the development of a few programs. CONCLUSIONS In order to improve overall oral health care, cooperation is required from North Korea in accessing relevant information in the field of children's oral health, dental prosthetics, and dental materials. For this to occur, there should be a preliminary trust building process between North Korea and South Korea as well as access to information from reliable sources.

PURPOSE: To Analyze the Clinical Results of the Total Knee Arthroplasty without Patellar Resurfacing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and eight Total Knee Arthroplasties (Nexgen(R), Zimmer, USA) without resurfacing of the patella, were performed between February 1995 and September 1999, and 89 cases followed up for more than 36 months were analyzed in this study. The follow up period ranged from 36 to 70 months (average 52 months). The diagnosis was degenerative joint disease in 83 cases (93%), rheumatoid arthritis in 5 cases (6%) and avascular necrosis of medial femoral condyle in 1 case (1%). The clinical results were evaluated according to Knee Society Clinical Rating System. RESULTS: The mean preoperative knee score was 34 points (range 5-63 points) according to the Knee Society Clinical Rating System, and the mean preoperative functional score was 38 points (range, 10-61 points). The mean postoperative knee score was 91 points (range 65-98 points) and the mean postoperative functional score 89 points (range, 63-100 points). The current study shows that patellar complications associated with unresurfacing did not occur, with the exception of 2 cases of persistent peripatellar pain, which resolved by a postoperative 6 months with conservative treatment. The patellofemoral joint space was also well preserved even at the 3 and 5 year follow-ups. CONCLUSION: Complications of total knee arthroplasty, such as patellar dislocation or subluxation, rupture of the patellar tendon, and fracture of the patella, can be avoided by not resurfacing the patella. On the basis of our results, there is little evidence to support routine patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Arthroplasty* ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Joint Diseases ; Knee* ; Necrosis ; Patella ; Patellar Dislocation ; Patellar Ligament ; Patellofemoral Joint ; Rupture

A 41-year-old woman with a 2-month history of diffused swelling and persistent dull pain in her right shoulder was examined. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings revealed subdeltoid bursitis and rice bodies with normal surrounding tissue and shoulder joint. Arthoscopic debridement and biopsy of the subdeltoid bursa were performed. Histologic examination of the bursal tissue showed granulomatous tissue with typical caseous necrosis. A positive culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculosis. We report on the clinical, radiological and athological findings in a patient with tuberculous subdeltoid bursitis accompanied by multiple rice body formation without coexisting active bone and joint tuberculosis, and conduct a literature review.
Adult ; Bursitis/diagnosis/*pathology/surgery ; Case Report ; Female ; Human ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular/diagnosis/*pathology/surgery

BACKGROUND: To determine the benefit of an extensively porous coated femoral stem in patients receiving revision total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: This study reviewed the results of 35 patients who received a revision total hip arthroplasty with extensively porous coated femoral stem between August, 1996, and December, 2002. The mean follow-up period was 77.5 months. The clinical and radiological results were evaluated by the Harris hip score and serial roentgenographic findings. RESULTS: The preoperative and postoperative Harris hip score was 68.3 and 92.5, respectively. Radiographically, none of the acetabular components showed any evidence of migration, tilt, rotation, or shedding of metal particles. In addition, none of the femoral components showed evidence of subsidence, pedestal, or shedding of metal particles. Twenty-two hips had a mild stress shield and 2 hips had a moderate stress shield. The perioperative complications encountered were deep vein thrombosis (1 case), mild heterotopic ossification (4 cases), intraoperative periprosthetic fractures (1 case), and nonunion of the trochanteric osteotomy site (2 cases). CONCLUSIONS: Extensively porous coated femoral stems and acetabular components produce excellent clinical and radiological results in revision total hip arthroplasty.
Aged ; *Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; *Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; Female ; *Hip Prosthesis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Porosity ; Reoperation

PURPOSE: In the present study, a case of IgG4-related ophthalmic disease which met the 2015 IgG4-related ophthalmic disease diagnostic criteria is reported and literature review performed. CASE SUMMARY: A 51-year-old female presented with both upper eyelid swelling, redness, and a palpable mass. Eye movements were normal and exophthalmos was not observed. Facial computed tomography showed both lacrimal gland hypertrophy. The patient underwent left anterior orbitotomy with incisional biopsy. Immunostained biopsy showed the ratio of IgG4+ to IgG+ cells was 50% and the mean number of IgG4-positive plasma cells was approximately 150 per high-power field. Hematological examination showed elevated serum IgG4 concentrations of 6,930 mg/dL, however, other organs were not involved. The patient satisfied the diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related ophthalmic disease. The patient was given an oral steroid and immunosuppressant and the symptoms improved. CONCLUSIONS: IgG4-related ophthalmic disease is currently receiving increased attention. The authors of the present study report a case of IgG4-related ophthalmic disease which met the 2015 IgG4-related ophthalmic disease diagnostic criteria.
Biopsy ; Exophthalmos ; Eye Movements ; Eyelids ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Immunoglobulin G ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; Middle Aged ; Plasma Cells

PURPOSE: Superior oblique myokymia is intermittent spontaneous contractions of the superior oblique muscle presenting as rapid and small-amplitude intorsions and depressions of the eye. The authors report a case of superior oblique myokymia that was objectively and quantitatively diagnosed with slit lamp examination and video-oculography and completely resolved with medical treatment. CASE SUMMARY: A 44-year-old woman presented with a seven-year history of intermittent oscillopsia which continued for few seconds. She had no history of head trauma or systemic ocular disease, and the anterior segment and fundus examination were unremarkable. Right eye intorsion lasting for a few seconds as detected by slit lamp examination. Eye movements were recorded using video-oculography, which showed a torsional nystagmus of 5 to 10 degrees with 2 to 5 vertical components in the right eye. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with superior oblique myokymia. The patient was prescribed topical timolol ophthalmic solution, one drop twice per day, but the symptoms persisted. Timolol ophthalmic solution was stopped and replaced with carbamazepine, 200 mg twice a day, which resolved her symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Slit lamp examination and video-oculography can be used as objective and quantitative diagnostic tools in order to confirmed a diagnosis and lead to proper treatment.
Adult ; Carbamazepine ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Depression ; Diagnosis* ; Eye Movements ; Female ; Humans ; Slit Lamp ; Timolol ; Trochlear Nerve Diseases*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the short term results of total hip arthroplasty (THA) for avascular necrosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: This is a retrospective case control, matched pair study. Ten patients (15 hips) with SLE and avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVNFH) underwent THA. Eight patients (12hips) with a minimum follow up of 2 years were reviewed. To determine whether these patients had results similar to those of patients with other diagnosis, we formed a control group of 12 patients who had 12 THA. They were matched for age, sex, BMI, activity, follow-up period, and type of implant with SLE group. The clinical and radiographic results were evaluated by Harris hip score (HSS) and serial radiographic findings, respectively. RESULTS: There was no complication during the perioperative period. In the SLE group, HHS was from 67.3 preoperatively to 97.7 at last follow-up. In the control group, HHS was from 70.1 preoperatively to 97.8 at last follow-up. On the last roentgenograms, none of acetabular components demonstrated any evidence of migration, tilt, rotation or shedding of metal particles in both groups. All femoral components demonstrated no evidence of subsidence, pedestal, or shedding of metal particles in both groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with SLE and AVNFH had excellent results after THA. Results were not different from that of patients who had hip replacement for other diagnoses. Therefore, it is considered that uncemented THA was useful treatment method for the patient who had SLE and AVNFH.

BACKGROUND: Delayed entry of blood culture bottles is inevitable when microbiological laboratories do not operate for 24 hr. There are few studies reported for prestorage of these bottles. The growth dynamics of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were investigated with respect to various preincubation conditions. METHODS: Fifteen or 150 colony-forming units (CFU) of bacteria were inoculated into standard aerobic or anaerobic blood culture bottles. Bottles were preincubated at 25degrees C or 37degrees C for 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, or 48 hr. The time to detection (TTD) then was monitored using the BacT/Alert 3D system (bioMerieux Inc., USA). RESULTS: Significant difference in TTD was observed following preincubation for 8 hr at 25degrees C vs. 4 hr at 37degrees C for S. aureus, 4 hr at 25degrees C vs. 4 hr at 37degrees C for E. coli, 12 hr at 25degrees C vs. 4 hr at 37degrees C for P. aeruginosa, compared to no preincubation (P<0.005). TTD values did not vary significantly with bacterial CFU or with aerobic or anaerobic bottle type. The BacT/Alert 3D system returned false negatives following preincubation of P. aeruginosa for 48 hr at 25degrees C or 24 hr at 37degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: TTD was mainly affected by preincubation temperature and duration rather than by input CFU quantity or bottle type for the 3 experimental bacteria.
Bacteriological Techniques/instrumentation/*methods ; Culture Media ; Escherichia coli/growth & development/*isolation & purification ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa/growth & development/*isolation & purification ; Staphylococcus aureus/growth & development/*isolation & purification ; Temperature ; Time Factors