PURPOSE: To compare the changes in macular thickeness between non-diabetic group and a mild or moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy group after phacoemulsification. METHODS: This study consisted of 32 eyes of 22 patients who underwent phacoemulsification. The non-diabetic group included 20 eyes of 15 patients; the diabetic group (mild or moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy) included 12 eyes of 7 patients. Macular thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and corrected visual acuity were measured before surgery and 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: In the non-diabetic group, the macular thickness increased by 2.8+/-4.2% at 1 week, 5.9+/-4.5% at 1 month, 4.8+/-3.8% at 2 months, 0.6+/-0.8% at 6 months, and -0.3+/-1.2% at 12 months after surgery, while it increased by 4.8+/-5.0% at 1 week, 11.1+/-5.2% at one month, 9.9+/-6.0% at two months, 8.1+/-4.6% at 6 months, 3.9+/-3.5% at 12 months in the diabetic group. The increased amount of macular thickness was significantly higher in the diabetic group than in the non-diabetic group at 1 month, 2 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Visual acuity was not significantly different between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups. In the non-diabetic group, 2 months after the operation, LogMAR below 0.02 (Snellen 0.95) were remained with best corrected visual acuity. Similarly to non-diabetic patients, diabetic patients needed 12 months to reach best corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Macular thickness increased in both diabetic and non-diabetic groups after phacoemulsification, and the increased amount of macular thickness was significantly greater and lasted longer in the diabetic group compared with the non-diabetic group. In cases of mild or moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, macular thickness change due to cataract surgery did not influence visual acuity.
Cataract ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Eye ; Humans ; Phacoemulsification ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To report a case in of a patient who developed bone marrow transplantation retinopathy at 18 months after receiving allograft bone marrow transplantation for acute lymphocytic leukemia. CASE SUMMARY: A 20-year-old male patient complained of a decrease in visual activity in his left eye 18 months after receiving a bone marrow transplantation for acute lymphocytic leukemia. The corrected visual activity was 1.0 for the right eye and 0.6 for the left. On fundus examination, both eyes showed cotton wool patches and dot hemorrhage, and the left eye showed macula edema. On fluorescein angiography, capillary nonperfusion was observed in the superior nasal area of the left eye. Four months after initial examination, the corrected visual activity of the left eye decreased to 0.3 and neovascularization was observed on fundus examination. On fluorescein angiography, capillary nonperfusion, neovascularization, and macular ischemia were observed. Laser photocoagulation was performed twice on the area with neovascularization and capillary nonperfusion. One year later, the corrected visual activity of the left eye recovered to 0.8. However, the area of macular ischemia on fluorescein angiography showed no change, and neovascularization and capillary nonperfusion were observed in new areas, which were treated with two additional laser photocoagulations.
Bone Marrow ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Capillaries ; Edema ; Eye ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Leukemia ; Light Coagulation ; Male ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Wool ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To report optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in albinism. METHODS: Full ocular examinations, including OCT, were performed in one patient with ocular albinism and two patients with oculocutaneous albinism. RESULTS: OCT scans were unable to detect the foveal depression in these patients. A widespread thickening of the retina occurred throughout the entire fovea, which showed no difference from the surrounding macula. OCT scans also demonstrated probable scleral layer below the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) layer. CONCLUSIONS: OCT scans of albinism patients confirmed foveal hypoplasia and increased transmission of incident light in the RPE layer.
Albinism* ; Albinism, Ocular ; Albinism, Oculocutaneous ; Depression ; Humans ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde ; Tomography, Optical Coherence*

PURPOSE: We report a patient with strabismus associated with thyroid ophthalmopathy whose condition changed remarkably for 6 years of a natural course. CASE SUMMARY: A 69-year-old woman with Graves' disease presented with diplopia in April 1999. On examination, she showed left hypotropia of 50 prism diopters (Delta) accompanied by supraduction limitation and lid lag in the left eye. She was diagnosed with strabismus associated with thyroid ophthalmopathy and was observed without any intervention. In October 2000, her left hypotropia decreased to 16Delta, and esotropia of 14Delta developed. Both eyes showed limitation of supraduction, and the left eye showed limitation of abduction. In December 2003, the esotropia increased to 35Delta, and the direction of vertical strabismus changed to 40Delta of right hypotropia. Supraduction limitation of the right eye and abduction restriction of both eyes increased, and infraduction limitation of the left eye developed. In April 2005, esotropia increased to 75Delta, and the amount of right hypotropia was 35Delta. The abduction limitation of both eyes increased. CONCLUSION: The natural course of strabismus associated with thyroid ophthalmopathy can show continuous and remarkable changes.
Aged ; Diplopia ; Esotropia ; Eye ; Female ; Graves Disease ; Humans ; Strabismus ; Thyroid Gland

OBJECTIVES: Serious mental illnesses and substance use disorder have a high level of early mortality. This study aimed to identify the causes of their deaths among patients who had been under the care of community mental health and welfare centers and addiction management centers.METHODS: We collected information on deceased individuals, whose mortality was attributable to various causes of death, from 10 Community Mental Health Centers and Addiction Centers in Gwangju Metropolitan City. The primary variables collected included psychiatric diagnosis, cause of death, smoking habits, admission history, and several socio-demographic factors.RESULTS: A total of 214 deaths among service users were studies. In Community Mental Health Centers, 109 deaths were identified, with causes that may be itemized as follows : 27 suicides(24.8%), 56 physical illnesses( 51.4%), 14 accidents(12.8%), and 12 unknown causes(11.0%). Among the physical illnesses reported, cardiovascular illness and cancer were the most common causes of death. A history of frequent admission was common among those that had died by suicide(88.9%), compared with that observed among general service users(62.0%). In Addiction Centers, 105 deaths were identified, with causes that may be itemized as follows : 7 suicides(6.7%), 71 physical illnesses(68.3%), 7 accidents(6.7%), and 20 unknown causes(19.0%). Among the physical illnesses reported, sudden death, hepatic disorder, cancer, and cardiovascular disorder were the most common causes of death.CONCLUSION: Case managers should give due consideration to and carefully manage the physical health of individuals accessing mental health services via community mental health centers and addiction centers.
Case Management ; Cause of Death ; Community Mental Health Centers ; Death, Sudden ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Mental Disorders ; Mental Health Services ; Mental Health ; Mortality ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Suicide

This study was aimed at evaluating the growth promoting effect of symbiotic algal polyol (ribitol) and plant hormones on the lichen-forming fungi (LFF), Ramalina farinacea (CH050010 and 40403) and Ramalina fastigiata. The addition of ribitol to basal (malt-yeast extract) medium enhanced the relative growth rates of all three LFF. R. farinacea (CH050010), R. farinacea (40403) and R. fastigiata (H06127) showed 35.3%, 29.0% and 29.3% higher growth rates, respectively, compared to the control. IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) and TIBA (2,3,5-tridobenzoic acid) also increased growth rates of the LFF by 34 to 64% and 7 to 28%, respectively, compared to the control. The combination of ribitol with IBA or TIBA synergistically increased the growth of all LFF. For example, ribitol and IBA treatments increased growth rates of R. farinacea (CH050010), R. farinacea (40403) and R. fastigiata (H06127) by 79.4%, 40.3% and 72.8% in, respectively, compared to those grown on the basal medium. The stimulating effect of ribitol and IBA on the LFF growth induced vertical development of the fungal mass in culture. We suggest that lichen-forming fungal growth of Ramalina lichens can be stimulated aposymbiotically by supplementing polyols and plant hormones to the basal medium in the mass production of lichen secondary metabolites under large scale culture conditions.
Fungi ; Indoles ; Lichens ; Plant Growth Regulators ; Plants ; Polymers ; Ribitol ; Triiodobenzoic Acids

OBJECTIVES: Organophosphates make their clinical effects after absorbed through gastrointestinal tract, lungs and skin. We commonly see the gastrointestinal tract and lung as routes of organophosphates (OP) intoxication, but there have been few reports that said the skin as a route OP intoxication. We have experienced many patients that showed OP intoxication symptoms during or after the control of pine gall midge. So we analyzed the clinical characteristics of the patients and evaluated the route of OP intoxication. METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively 26 cases who were diagnosed as 'OP intoxication after control of pine gall midge' from June 1 1995 to July 31 1996. RESULTS: 1) The mean age of the cases, mean duration of work and mean initial cholinesterase level were 52 years, 11.9 days, 318.2U/L respectively. And the over all ratio of male to female was 11:15. 2) All cases were engaged in drug injection and 7 cases (32%) weared mask. Face and upper body were excluded from protective clothings. 3) The cardinal symptoms were diarrhea and dizziness followed by nausea, vomiting, headache, anorexia, paralysis in order of frequency. 4 Directly contributing factors to symptom onset were rain, excessive sweating due to hot weather and direct contact. 5) Most of cases (92%) were recovered completely. 2 cases died during hospitalization due to acute respiratory failure and sepsis. Mechanical ventilation were applied in 4 cases for mean 12 days. In 2 cases, there were neurobehavioral changes as delayed neurologic sequelae. CONCLUSION: We have concluded that the route of organophosporus intoxication after the control of pine gall midge was skin (transdermal absorption). Sufficient education and protective measures should be done for preventing organophosporus intoxication in the control of pine gall midge.
Anorexia ; Cholinesterases ; Clothing ; Diarrhea ; Dizziness ; Education ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Headache ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Lung ; Male ; Masks ; Nausea ; Organophosphates ; Paralysis ; Rain ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Skin ; Sweat ; Sweating ; Vomiting ; Weather

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk factors associated with enucleation or evisceration in endophthalmitis patients. METHODS: The medical records of endophthalmitis cases from January 1995 to July 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. The cases were divided into 2 groups, the enucleation/evisceration group (36 eyes of 36 patients) who underwent enucleation or evisceration and the intraocular procedures group (61 eyes of 60 patients) who received intravitreal antibiotics injection and/or vitrectomy. We analyzed these cases with respect to age, sex, initial visual acuity, causes of endophthalmitis, systemic disease, and causative organisms. RESULTS: Older age (p=0.002), women (17/32, p=0.027), no light perception at presentation (33/37, p<0.001), endophthalmitis associated with corneal ulcer (25/25, p<0.001), and diabetes mellitus (14/20, p=0.001) were significantly associated with enucleation or evisceration. CONCLUSIONS: Older age, poor initial visual acuity, endophthalmitis associated with corneal ulcer, and diabetes mellitus were strongly associated with enucleation or evisceration. If any of these factors are present, more intensive treatments are warranted to prevent loss of the eye.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Corneal Ulcer ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Endophthalmitis* ; Female ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

Three species of Coccocarpia have been reported from Korean Peninsular. However, there was no revisional study on this genus before. After careful examination of the specimens deposited in the Korean Lichen Research Institute (KoLRI) and collected from main mountain areas of Korea, two species of Coccocarpia, C. palmicola and C. erythroxyli, have been revealed to occur and confirmed in South Korea. The presence and absence of isidia and apothecia are the most important characters for the South Korean species. We provide the detailed description and illustration of the available two species. A key to the species is also provided.
Academies and Institutes ; Korea* ; Lichens*

PURPOSE: To evaluate dynamic three-dimensional (3D) kinematic properties of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-insufficient knees and healthy contralateral knees in awake patients during the Lachman test using biplane fluoroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with unilateral ACL-insufficient knees and healthy contralateral knees were enrolled in this study. Each patient underwent the Lachman test three times in the awake state. The knee joint motions were captured using biplane fluoroscopy. After manual registration of 3D surface data from 3D-computed tomography to biplane images, dynamic 3D kinematic data were analyzed. RESULTS: The average anteroposterior (AP) translation of the medial femoral epicondyle of the ACL-insufficient knees (11.5+/-4.2 mm) was significantly greater than that of the contralateral knees (7.7+/-3.5 mm) (p<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant side-to-side difference in the average AP translation of the lateral femoral epicondyle. During the Lachman test, the distal femur was more externally rotated than the proximal tibia, which showed significant difference between both sides. CONCLUSIONS: During the Lachman test, the medial femoral epicondyle of the ACL-insufficient knee exhibited greater AP motion than that of the contralateral knee, whereas there was no significant side-to-side difference with regard to the AP motion of the lateral femoral epicondyle.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Femur ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Tibia