Purpose: The Korean Society of Coloproctology has been conducting Colorectal Cancer Awareness Campaign, also known as the Gold Ribbon Campaign, every September since 2007. The 2022 campaign was held through a metaverse platform targeting the younger age group under the slogan of raising awareness of early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to analyze the impact of the 2022 campaign on a metaverse platform. Methods: Anonymized survey data were collected from participants in the metaverse campaign from September 1 to 15, 2022. The satisfaction score of the participants was evaluated by sex, age group, and previous campaign participation status. Results: During the campaign, 2,770 people visited the metaverse. Among them, 455 people participated in the survey (response rate, 16.4%). Approximately 95% of the participants reported being satisfied with the information provided by the campaign, understood the necessity of undergoing screening for and prevention of early-onset CRC, and were familiar with the structure of the metaverse. The satisfaction score for campaign information tended to decrease as the participants’ age increased. When the participants’ overall level of satisfaction with the metaverse platform was assessed, teenagers scored particularly lower than the other age groups. The satisfaction scores for CRC information provided in the metaverse, as well as the scores for recognizing the seriousness and necessity of screening for early-onset CRC, indicated a high positive tendency (P<0.001). Conclusion Most of the 2022 Gold Ribbon Campaign participants were satisfied with the metaverse platform. Medical society should pay attention to increasing participation in and satisfaction with future public campaigns.

Refugees who are persecuted can apply for refugee recognition in the Republic of Korea in accordance with the Refugee Convention and the Refugee Act. They can do so either at the port of entry or during their stay in Korea. After undergoing screening, individuals may be recognized and protected under different categories, such as recognized refugees, humanitarian status holders, refugee applicants, and refugees seeking resettlement. Recognized refugees are entitled to the same social benefits and basic livelihood guarantees as Korean nationals. Humanitarian status holders and refugee applicants may receive support such as minimum living expenses, housing facilities, medical care, and education. In the medical field, refugees and their unmarried minor children are eligible for medical support through the “Medical Service Support Project for Marginalized Populations, Including Foreign Workers.” This support is in addition to the national healthcare coverage and medical benefits provided by the government. However, there are pressing concerns regarding the inadequate budget allocated to this project and the excessive cost burden placed on participating medical institutions. It is crucial to secure additional funding and implement administrative improvements. Furthermore, it is essential to develop medical support measures that ensure the minimum right to health for individuals who choose not to undergo the refugee recognition process at the port of entry.

The responsibility to ensure the health rights of detainees, particularly their medical rights, fundamentally lies with the state in all nations. However, in the correctional facilities of the Republic of Korea, these rights are currently not adequately safeguarded.Numerous detainees express dissatisfaction with the medical services provided and show a preference for voluntary external treatment. However, barriers such as prolonged application processes for external treatment and the requirement for detainees to cover their medical expenses present significant challenges. Therefore, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea has advocated for an increased medical budget in correctional facilities and a bolstered professional medical workforce to improve the medical care of detainees. Recommendations for improvements include: (1) establishing dedicated correctional hospitals for detainees, (2) setting up specialized correctional wards, (3) collaborating with military hospitals, (4) launching mobile medical buses for diverse specialties, (5) enhancing collaboration with public and private medical institutions, (6) increasing compensation for partnering external medical institutions, (7) improving the working conditions of medical officers, (8) safeguarding the defense rights of medical staff, (9) improving the working conditions of public health doctors from the Ministry of Justice in correctional facilities, and (10) pre-assigning public health specialists and military doctors to correctional facilities. By implementing these measures, it is anticipated that the quality of medical services in the Republic of Korea’s correctional facilities will improve, reducing the demand for external treatments among detainees and ensuring their health and medical rights are realistically upheld.

Korea’s quarantine response to the novel coronavirus (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) pandemic is based on the sacrifice of health professionals, especially public health doctors (PHDs) who were called out first and put in the first place in the country. PHDs performed major quarantine tasks, such as collecting samples from screening clinics and epidemiological investigations, in various parts of the country, including the Daegu area, where the first large-scale COVID-19 confirmed cases in Korea and explosively increased. Because of their position as fixed-term civil servants, however, PHDs’ professionalism as doctors was ignored, and they were not properly compensated for their work. They were also exposed to problems such as a high risk of infection, mental suffering, and various human rights violations. We must prepare concrete measures to improve the fundamental treatment of PHDs and protect their human rights in order to prepare for a possible infectious disease pandemic in the future.

Purpose: To identify the clinical characteristics and predictors of visual outcomes in acute anterior optic neuritis patients treated with high-dose steroid pulse therapy using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods: In this study, the medical records of 34 acute anterior optic neuritis patients treated with intravenous high-dose steroid pulse therapy and followed-up for at least 3 months were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups based on the final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA); group 1 (n = 23) had a final BCVA ≥20/32, while group 2 (n = 11) had a final BCVA <20/32. Clinical characteristics and optical parameters obtained using SD-OCT were evaluated to identify factors influencing the final visual outcome. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in clinical or demographic data between the two groups. Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) swelling at initial presentation was less common (p = 0.015), and the time to pRNFL thickness stabilization was longer (p = 0.016), in group 1. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated better final visual acuity for patients in whom pRNFL thickness stabilization took longer, as well as in those with a smaller reduction in macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) thickness, and those without recurrence (p = 0.002, 0.016, and 0.035, respectively). Conclusions Intravenous high-dose steroid pulse therapy much improved long-term visual outcomes in acute anterior optic neuritis patients with delayed pRNFL thickness stabilization, a smaller mGCIPL thickness reduction, and no recurrence. This suggests that inner retinal layer thickness and recurrence after stabilization may serve as biomarkers for final visual acuity after intravenous steroid treatment in acute anterior optic neuritis.

PURPOSE: To report a case of uremic optic neuropathy occurring in a patient with chronic renal failure. CASE SUMMARY: A 40-year-old male who was diagnosed with chronic renal failure and treated with peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis for 17 years presented with blurred vision and a moving pain in his left eye for 2 days. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.2 in his left eye, and an inferior altitudinal visual field defect was noted on Humphrey perimetry. Fundus examination and optical coherence tomography showed optic disc swelling in his left eye; the right eye was unremarkable. These findings were compatible with a diagnosis of uremic optic neuropathy or anterior ischemic optic neuropathy of his left eye. After treatment of hemodialysis and intravenous high dose steroid pulse therapy, the BCVA in his left eye was 0.8. However, since he refused oral steroid maintenance therapy, his BCVA later decreased to 0.4. After treatment with subtenon triamcinolone injection, the BCVA in his left eye was 1.0 and showed a stable disease course. CONCLUSIONS: When patient with chronic renal failure presents with acute decrease in visual acuity and visual field defect, optic neuropathies including uremic optic neuropathy should be considered and prompt hemodialysis and systemic steroid treatment should be done.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Male ; Optic Nerve Diseases* ; Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Renal Dialysis ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Triamcinolone ; Uremia ; Visual Acuity ; Visual Field Tests ; Visual Fields

No abstract available.
Adult ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors/administration & dosage ; Bevacizumab/*administration & dosage ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fundus Oculi ; Humans ; Intravitreal Injections ; Optic Disk/*pathology ; POEMS Syndrome/*complications/diagnosis ; Papilledema/diagnosis/*drug therapy/etiology

PURPOSE: Maltol (3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyrone), formed by the thermal degradation of starch, is found in coffee, caramelized foods, and Korean ginseng root. This study investigated whether maltol could rescue neuroretinal cells from oxidative injury in vitro. METHODS: R28 cells, which are rat embryonic precursor neuroretinal cells, were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 0.0 to 1.5 mM) as an oxidative stress with or without maltol (0.0 to 1.0 mM). Cell viability was monitored with the lactate dehydrogenase assay and apoptosis was examined by the terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated terminal uridine deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method. To investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of maltol, the expression and phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 were evaluated by Western immunoblot analysis. RESULTS: R28 cells exposed to H2O2 were found to have decreased viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. However, H2O2-induced cytotoxicity was decreased with the addition of maltol. When R28 cells were exposed to 1.0 mM H2O2 for 24 hours, the cytotoxicity was 60.69 ± 5.71%. However, the cytotoxicity was reduced in the presence of 1.0 mM maltol. This H2O2-induced cytotoxicity caused apoptosis of R28 cells, characterized by DNA fragmentation. Apoptosis of oxidatively-stressed R28 cells with 1.0 mM H2O2 was decreased with 1.0 mM maltol, as determined by the TUNEL method. Western blot analysis showed that treatment with maltol reduced phosphorylation of NF-kappaB, ERK, and JNK, but not p38. The neuroprotective effects of maltol seemed to be related to attenuated expression of NF-kappaB, ERK, and JNK. CONCLUSIONS: Maltol not only increased cell viability but also attenuated DNA fragmentation. The results obtained here show that maltol has neuroprotective effects against hypoxia-induced neuroretinal cell damage in R28 cells, and its effects may act through the NF-kappaB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways.
Animals ; *Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Models, Animal ; Flavoring Agents/pharmacology ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Oxidative Stress/*drug effects ; Pyrones/*pharmacology ; Rats ; Retinal Ganglion Cells/drug effects/metabolism/*pathology

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical results of trabeculectomy and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation after a previous failed trabeculectomy. METHODS: A retrospective comparative case series review was performed on 31 eye surgeries in 20 patients with primary congenital glaucoma who underwent trabeculectomy or Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation after a previous failed trabeculectomy with mitomycin C. RESULTS: The preoperative mean intraocular pressure was 25.5 mmHg in the trabeculectomy group and 26.9 mmHg in the Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation group (p = 0.73). The 48-month postoperative mean intraocular pressure was 19.6 mmHg in the trabeculectomy group and 20.2 mmHg in the Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation group (p = 0.95). The 12-month trabeculectomy success rate was 69%, compared with 64% for Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation, and the 48-month success rates were 42% and 36% for trabeculectomy and valve implantation, respectively. The success rates following the entire follow-up period were not significantly different between the two groups (p > 0.05 by log rank test). Postoperative complications occurred in 25% of the trabeculectomy-operated eyes and 9% of the Ahmed-implanted eyes (p = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in surgical outcome between the trabeculectomy and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation groups, neither of which had favorable results. However, the trabeculectomy group demonstrated a higher prevalence of adverse complications such as post-operative endophthalmitis.
Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma/congenital/physiopathology/*surgery ; *Glaucoma Drainage Implants ; Humans ; Infant ; Intraocular Pressure/*physiology ; Male ; Mitomycin/*adverse effects ; Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors/adverse effects ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Trabeculectomy/*adverse effects/*methods ; Treatment Failure ; Treatment Outcome ; *Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: Though there are many reports regarding the structure-function relationship in glaucoma, they are too complicated to apply to the routine clinical setting. The aim of this study was to investigate the direct relationship between peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and visual field (VF) severity indices computed by standard automated perimetry. METHODS: This cross-sectional comparative study included 104 glaucomatous patients and 59 healthy subjects. Peripapillary RNFL thickness was measured by spectral domain (SD) and time domain (TD) OCTs. Four glaucoma VF severity indices, including mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study (CIGTS) VF score, and Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) VF score, were calculated using standard automated perimetry. The Pearson's correlation coefficients (r) between the average and quadrants of peripapillary RNFL thicknesses and the four VF severity indices were calculated. RESULTS: In glaucomatous eyes, the r value between the average RNFL thickness measured by SD OCT and each VF severity index were 0.562, -0.514, -0.577, and -0.567 for the MD, PSD, CIGTS VF score, and AGIS VF score, respectively (all p < 0.001). Among each quadrant, the inferior RNFL thickness showed the largest r value; 0.587, -0.552, -0.613, and -0.598 for the MD, PSD, CIGTS VF score, and AGIS VF score, respectively (all p < 0.001). Measurements by TD OCT showed similar strengths of association with SD OCT. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate correlation was identified between peripapillary RNFL thicknesses measured by SD/TD OCT and glaucoma VF severity indices. Among each quadrant, the inferior RNFL thickness showed the greatest association with glaucoma VF severity indices. There was no significant difference according to the type of VF severity index or the type of OCTs.
Adult ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Fibers/*pathology ; Optic Nerve/*pathology ; Optic Nerve Diseases/*diagnostic imaging/physiopathology ; Retinal Ganglion Cells/*pathology ; Severity of Illness Index ; Tomography, Optical Coherence/*methods ; Visual Field Tests/methods ; Visual Fields/*physiology ; Young Adult