The purpose of this study is to assess the accuracy of IOL power calculations using clinical history method in patients who undergo cataract surgery after previous PRK, RK, or LASIK.Five eyes of 3 patients who had previous PRK, RK, or LASIK underwent phacoemulsifications with IOL implantation.We calculated IOL power for target refractive error using clinical history method.We compared postoperative refractive error to target refractive error at 3 months after cataract surgery.In the first case (RK (od)& PRK (os)), there was 3.50 diopter undercorrection on the right eye and IOL was exchanged.And target refractive error was achieved on the left eye.In the second case (LASIK patient)there was 1.00 diopter undercorrection.In the third case (PRK (ou)), right eye achieved 0.75 diopter undercorrection and left eye achieved 0.50 diopter overcorrection.The types of cataract were nuclear sclerotic in 3 cases and anterior subcapsular in 2 cases.To determine the exact IOL power after refractive surgery, using clinical history method would be good alternative in these patients.
Cataract* ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ* ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Phacoemulsification ; Refractive Errors ; Refractive Surgical Procedures*

We report two cases of lichen planus pigmentosus (LPP) that developed in a unilateral linear pattern. The patients presented with unilateral linear brown macules on the extremities. Skin biopsy showed orthokeratosis, basal hydropic degeneration with scarce lymphohistiocytic infiltrates, and numerous melanophages in both patients. These patients, to the best of our knowledge, are the first cases of LPP presenting with a linear pattern. LPP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of linear hyperpigmented skin lesions.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Biopsy ; Female ; Human ; Hyperpigmentation/diagnosis/pathology ; Lichen Planus/*diagnosis/pathology ; Skin/pathology

BACKGROUND: There has been no statistical study of dermatoses in the Suwon area and southern area of Kyonggi province which has been rapidly developing in the last 7 years. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We evaluated the recent distributions of dermatoses in the Suwon area and southern area of Kyonggi and compared them with the previous reports of other provinces of Korea. Fifty two thousand, one hundred fifty three new outpatients who visited the Ajou University Hospital from 1995 to 2001 were analysed statistically. RESULTS: The study results are summarized as follows: Among the 52, 153 outpatients, the total number of male patients were 24, 005(46.0%) and female patients were 28, 148(54.0%). The frequency of age groups are as follows; the age groups were the 3rd decade(22.0%), 4th decade(20.4%), 1st decade(18.7%), 5th decade(11.5%), 2nd decade(11.1%), 6th(8.5%), 7th(5.4%), 8th and above(2.4%). The distributions of dermatoses as disease groups were eczema(28.6%), dermatophytosis(8.7%), erythema urticaria and drug eruption(8.1%), disease of skin appendages(7.9%), viral infection(7.3%), etc. Those dermatoses which demonstrated a tendency to increase annually were seborrheic dermatitis, hyperpigmentary disorders, verruca, and alopecia areata. The incidence of dermatophytosis, in particular, decreased during the study period. Seasonal distribution showed that those diseases occurring the most frequently during the summer were dermatophytosis, allergic contact dermatitis, urticaria, verruca, and vitiligo. The incidence of atopic dermatitis and nevocellular nevi increased during the winter season. Acne vulgaris was the disease occurring frequently during summer and winter. Sexual distribution of dermatoses showed that hyperpigmentary disorder, nevocellular nevi, benign epidermal tumor, acne, allergic contact dermatitis, and irritant contact dermatitis were more frequent in females, and dermatophytosis, seborrheic dermatitis, alopecia were more frequent in males. Age distribution was as follows; atopic dermatitis, vitiligo and verruca was the most frequent in the 1st decade. Acne vulgaria was the most frequent in the 2nd decade and 3rd decade. Hyperpigmentary disorder and seborrheic dermatitis were the most frequent in the 4th decade. Hyperpigmentary disorder was the most frequent in the 5th decade and herpes zoster in 6th, 7th and 8th decade and above. CONCLUSION: In contrast to an earlier published report from Seoul, the infectious dermatoses, especially parasitic infestation, showed a tendency to decrease and nevocellular nevi, hyperpigmentary disorder and alopecia showed a tendency to increase. The distribution pattern of the skin disease did not differ from other provinces of Korea in general.
Acne Vulgaris ; Age Distribution ; Alopecia ; Alopecia Areata ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Epidemiology ; Erythema ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do* ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Nevus ; Outpatients ; Seasons ; Seoul ; Skin ; Skin Diseases* ; Statistics as Topic* ; Tinea ; Urticaria ; Vitiligo ; Warts

This study was to investigate the role of complementary and alternative medicine in the prevention and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. For this purpose, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed over 12 months on 47 benign prostatic hyperplasia patients with average age of 53.3 years and international prostate symptom score over 8. Subjects received either sweet potato starch (group A, placebo, 320 mg/day), pumpkin seed oil (group B, 320 mg/day), saw palmetto oil (group C, 320 mg/day) or pumpkin seed oil plus saw palmetto oil (group D, each 320 mg/day). International prostate symptom score, quality of life, serum prostate specific antigen, prostate volume and maximal urinary flow rate were measured. In groups B, C and D, the international prostate symptom score were reduced by 3 months. Quality of life score was improved after 6 months in group D, while those of groups B and C were improved after 3 months, compared to the baseline value. Serum prostate specific antigen was reduced only in group D after 3 months, but no difference was observed in prostate volume in all treatment groups. Maximal urinary flow rate were gradually improved in groups B and C, with statistical significance after 6 months in group B and after 12 months in group C. None of the parameters were significantly improved by combined treatment with pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto oil. From these results, it is suggested that administrations of pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto oil are clinically safe and may be effective as complementary and alternative medicine treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Complementary Therapies ; Cucurbita ; Humans ; Ipomoea batatas ; Male ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Quality of Life ; Seeds ; Starch

This study aimed to analyze the correlation between smoking and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity by region and gross domestic product (GDP). The regions were categorized by continent and GDP rankings. Studies conducted between June 3, 2020 and March 27, 2023 were searched to compare the severity of COVID-19 between smokers and non-smokers according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Compared with never-smokers, the smokers’ COVID-19 severity scores were 1.48 (confidence interval [CI]: 1.25–1.75) in Asia, 1.24 (CI: 1.05–1.46) in the Middle East, 1.32 (1.21–1.45) in Europe, 1.39 (1.30–1.49) in North America, 1.69 (1.22–2.34) in South America, and 2.87 (1.82–4.53) in Africa. By GDP, the smokers’ COVID-19 severity scores were higher than those of never-smokers: 1.42 (1.32–1.53) in high-GDP countries, 1.33 (1.25–1.41) in middle-GDP countries (11th–50th), and 1.53 (0.85–2.76) in low-GDP countries. The COVID-19 severity in smokers was significantly higher in low-GDP countries than in high- and middle-income countries. The high COVID-19 death rate among smokers in the African continent and low-GDP countries is thought to stem from the lack of medical management systems compared with other countries. In addition to medical treatment, environmental or socioeconomic factors can increase the severity.

BACKGROUND: Self-monitoring of blood glucose is an important component of therapy for diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analytic performance evaluation of blood monitoring system G400 according to ISO 15197:2013. METHODS: We evaluated the G400 according to the ISO 15197:2013 guideline, we measured precision, accuracy, interference of hematocrit and interfering substances, user performance. RESULTS: Repeatability and intermediate precision of G400 showed standard deviation 2.7–3.8 mg/dL, 2.4–3.6 mg/dL and coefficient of variation 1.9-2.9% and 1.7–3.7%, respectively. Accuracy measured 98–98.5%, satisfied acceptable criteria. Error grid analysis showed that all results of this study were in zone A. Hematocrit between 20% to 60% did not cause interference. Three of 24 interfering substances were not acceptable criteria, and dose-response evaluation was needed. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that G400 was considered reliable results satisfying the ISO 15197:2013 criteria
Blood Glucose ; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Hematocrit

Background: Achilles tendon is composed of dense connective tissue and is one of the largest tendons in the body. In veterinary medicine, acute ruptures are associated with impact injury or sharp trauma. Healing of the ruptured tendon is challenging because of poor blood and nerve supply as well as the residual cell population. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains numerous bioactive agents and growth factors and has been utilized to promote healing in bone, soft tissue, and tendons. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the healing effect of PRP injected into the surrounding fascia of the Achilles tendon after allograft in rabbits. Methods: Donor rabbits (n = 8) were anesthetized and 16 lateral gastrocnemius tendons were fully transected bilaterally. Transected tendons were decellularized and stored at −80°C prior to allograft. The allograft was placed on the partially transected medial gastrocnemius tendon in the left hindlimb of 16 rabbits. The allograft PRP group (n = 8) had 0.3 mL of PRP administered in the tendon and the allograft control group (n = 8) did not receive any treatment. After 8 weeks, rabbits were euthanatized and allograft tendons were transected for macroscopic, biomechanical, and histological assessment. Results: The allograft PRP group exhibited superior macroscopic assessment scores, greater tensile strength, and a histologically enhanced healing process compared to those in the allograft control group. Conclusions Our results suggest administration of PRP on an allograft tendon has a positive effect on the healing process in a ruptured Achilles tendon.

This research group (forensic research via omics markers in environmental health vulnerable areas: FROM) aimed to develop biomarkers for exposure to environmental hazards and diseases, assess environmental diseases, and apply and verify these biomarkers in environmentally vulnerable areas. Environmentally vulnerable areas—including refineries, abandoned metal mines, coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators, cement factories, and areas with high exposure to particulate matter—along with control areas, were selected for epidemiological investigations. A total of 1,157 adults, who had resided in these areas for over 10 years, were recruited between June 2021 and September 2023. Personal characteristics of the study participants were gathered through a survey. Biological samples, specifically blood and urine, were collected during the field investigations, separated under refrigerated conditions, and then transported to the laboratory for biomarker analysis. Analyses of heavy metals, environmental hazards, and adducts were conducted on these blood and urine samples. Additionally, omics analyses of epigenomes, proteomes, and metabolomes were performed using the blood samples. The biomarkers identified in this study will be utilized to assess the risk of environmental disease occurrence and to evaluate the impact on the health of residents in environmentally vulnerable areas, following the validation of diagnostic accuracy for these diseases.

This research group (forensic research via omics markers in environmental health vulnerable areas: FROM) aimed to develop biomarkers for exposure to environmental hazards and diseases, assess environmental diseases, and apply and verify these biomarkers in environmentally vulnerable areas. Environmentally vulnerable areas—including refineries, abandoned metal mines, coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators, cement factories, and areas with high exposure to particulate matter—along with control areas, were selected for epidemiological investigations. A total of 1,157 adults, who had resided in these areas for over 10 years, were recruited between June 2021 and September 2023. Personal characteristics of the study participants were gathered through a survey. Biological samples, specifically blood and urine, were collected during the field investigations, separated under refrigerated conditions, and then transported to the laboratory for biomarker analysis. Analyses of heavy metals, environmental hazards, and adducts were conducted on these blood and urine samples. Additionally, omics analyses of epigenomes, proteomes, and metabolomes were performed using the blood samples. The biomarkers identified in this study will be utilized to assess the risk of environmental disease occurrence and to evaluate the impact on the health of residents in environmentally vulnerable areas, following the validation of diagnostic accuracy for these diseases.

This research group (forensic research via omics markers in environmental health vulnerable areas: FROM) aimed to develop biomarkers for exposure to environmental hazards and diseases, assess environmental diseases, and apply and verify these biomarkers in environmentally vulnerable areas. Environmentally vulnerable areas—including refineries, abandoned metal mines, coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators, cement factories, and areas with high exposure to particulate matter—along with control areas, were selected for epidemiological investigations. A total of 1,157 adults, who had resided in these areas for over 10 years, were recruited between June 2021 and September 2023. Personal characteristics of the study participants were gathered through a survey. Biological samples, specifically blood and urine, were collected during the field investigations, separated under refrigerated conditions, and then transported to the laboratory for biomarker analysis. Analyses of heavy metals, environmental hazards, and adducts were conducted on these blood and urine samples. Additionally, omics analyses of epigenomes, proteomes, and metabolomes were performed using the blood samples. The biomarkers identified in this study will be utilized to assess the risk of environmental disease occurrence and to evaluate the impact on the health of residents in environmentally vulnerable areas, following the validation of diagnostic accuracy for these diseases.