BACKGROUND: The human homologue of the SC2 gene from a human dermal papilla cell cDNA library has been isolated and designated hSC2. HSC2 protein also shares similarity with 5 -reductase, a protein important in testosterone metabolism. OBJECTIVE: Prior to knowing the functions of hSC2 in dermal papilla, we cloned it and analyzed its relative expression levels in adult tissues and cancer cell lines. METHODS: hSC2 was isolated from low abundant clones in dermal papilla cDNA library using cDNA array hibridization method. Full-length clone was sequenced and we studied its expression in different tissues by Northern blot hybridization. RESULTS: Sequence data reveals a single open reading frame, encoding a putative hydrophobic protein with a calculated molecular weight of 36 kDa. Its deduced amino acid sequences are almost 97.4% identical to t4ose of rat protein. Northern blot hybridization shows that hSC2 cDNA recognizes a 1.35 kb transcript that was expressed in various epithelial and mesenchymal tissues including testis and liver. CONCLUSION: We have cloned and analysed tissue distributions of hSC2. It was interesting that it had homology with 5α-reductase isozymes. Further studies will be needed to understand the involvement of hSC2 in androgen hormone signaling.
Adult ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Blotting, Northern ; Cell Line ; Clone Cells ; Cloning, Molecular* ; DNA, Complementary ; Gene Library ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; Liver ; Metabolism ; Molecular Weight ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Open Reading Frames ; Rats ; Testis ; Testosterone ; Tissue Distribution

No abstract available.
Crohn Disease* ; Stomach*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of pars plana vitrectomy with indocyanine green-assisted peeling of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) on visual acuity in macular edema in RVO patients. METHODS: Twenty-three eyes of 23 patients were treated consecutively (male: female=7:16). Thirteen patients were BRVO, and ten patients were CRVO. Vitrectomy that involved peeling the ILM with the assistance of indocyanine dye was performed in all 23 eyes. A visual acuity change of 2 lines or more was regarded as significant. We compared preoperative BCVA and postoperative BCVA. RESULTS: Improvement of visual acuity was observed in 13 eyes (8 eyes in BRVO, 5 eyes in CRVO) of 23 total eyes (56.5%). No change in visual acuity was observed in 5 eyes (3 eyes in BRVO, 2 eyes in CRVO). Worsening of visual acuity was observed in 5 eyes (2 eyes in BRVO, 3 eyes in CRVO). CONCLUSIONS: Pars plana vitrectomy with ILM peeling in patients with macular edema induced by RVO showed visual improvement in 56.5% of the cases in our study (61.5% in BRVO, 50% in CRVO). PPV with ILM peeling may be an effective procedure in reducing macular edema due to RVO.
Eye ; Humans ; Macular Edema ; Membranes ; Retinal Vein ; Retinal Vein Occlusion ; Retinaldehyde ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

Intraoperative fracture in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a rare complication. However, when it happens, additional surgery to fix the fracture site is needed. Therefore, it is important to diagnose intraoperative fractures in TKA exactly. The authors experienced two cases of cortical perforation of medial femoral condyle misidentified as the fracture in TKA. Cortical perforation could be misdiagnosed as the fracture, which could lead to unnecessary surgery. This is the first report about cortical perforation in TKA. We report two cases of intraoperative cortical perforations and describe the radiological characteristics.
Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Femur ; Knee ; Unnecessary Procedures

Purpose: To explore the subjective eye health status of Korean adolescents by the extent of Internet use in 2009-2010 and smartphone use in 2020. Methods: We secondarily analyzed the results of the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey performed by the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency that enrolled Korean adolescents aged 12-18 years. Changes in internet use time from 2009 to 2019 and smartphone use in 2020 were examined. Questionnaires exploring subjective eye health were administered in 2009, 2010, and 2020. We performed complex logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 748,490 subjects were enrolled. Korean adolescents used the Internet for an average of 2.48 hours (h) on weekdays and 4.06 h on weekends in 2019, thus significantly more than the 2009 averages of 1.93 h on weekdays and 2.96 h on weekends (both p < 0.001). In 2009 and 2010, the average internet use time on weekends significantly and positively correlated with subjective eye problems (odds ratio = 1.161, p < 0.001). The average smartphone use time was 4.72 h on weekdays and 6.56 h on weekends in 2020. In that year, the average smartphone use time on weekends (odds ratio = 1.049, p < 0.001) and smartphone overdependence (odds ratio = 8.636, p < 0.001) significantly and positively correlated with the presence of subjective health problems. Conclusions Internet and smartphone use time on weekends affect subjective eye health.

PURPOSE: To report a case of ciliary body tuberculoma, which induced scleral melting. CASE SUMMARY: A 32-year-old man, who was diagnosed with miliary pulmonary tuberculosis 1 week earlier, presented with a conjunctival injection and mass on his right eye 3 months in duration. On excisional biopsy, melted sclera and exposed uveal tissue were found; acid-fast stain was positive. Two months after anti-tuberculosis treatment, anterior granulomatous uveitis and granuloma formation on the anterior chamber angle developed. A low-dose systemic steroid therapy was added. Six weeks after systemic steroid therapy, anterior uveitis and granuloma on anterior chamber angle disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: We experienced a case of ocular tuberculosis on the ciliary body. A low-dose systemic steroid along with multi-drug anti-tubercular therapy may be an effective treatment of ciliary body tuberculoma.
Adult ; Anterior Chamber ; Biopsy ; Ciliary Body ; Eye ; Freezing ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Sclera ; Tuberculoma ; Tuberculosis, Ocular ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; Uveitis ; Uveitis, Anterior

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of airway hyperresponsiveness induced by isocyanate at one petrochemical industry complex in Yeochon, Korea. METHOD: Questionnaires, allergic skin prick test, toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-specific IgE, and non-specific airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) were studied in 73 exposed workers and 27 control subjects. Methacholine challenge tests were done and bronc hial responsiveness (BR index) was defined as log (% fall of FEV1)/ log (last concentration of methacholine +10). RESULTS: Twenty-three workers (31.5% ) had respiratory symptoms, 21 had nasal symptoms, and eight had skin symptoms. Exposed workers with respiratory symptoms (n=22) had significantly higher BR index than those without them (0.82+/-0.06 vs 0.60+/-0.02, p<0.05). Exposed workers tended to have higher BR index than controls (0.67+/-0.03 vs 0.62+/-0.02). Three exposed workers had PC20 methacholine <2.0 mg/ml. There were no significant differences in atopy score between exposed workers and controls (p>0.05). Specific IgE antibodies were found in 19.7% of exposed workers. FEV, showed a significant negative correlation with BR index (r =-0.25, p<0.05). Poor correlation was noted between BR index and atopy, smoking status, or exposure duration. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that workers exposed to isocyanates are at higher risk of airway hyperresponsiveness.
Antibodies ; Immunoglobulin E ; Isocyanates* ; Korea ; Methacholine Chloride ; Plants* ; Prevalence ; Skin ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: To report a case of bilateral optic neuritis in a child after tsutsugamushi infection. CASE SUMMARY: An eight-year-old boy diagnosed with tsutsugamushi infection was referred to the ophthalmology clinic at our institution. A typical eschar was detected on his right clavicle. The patient complained of severely decreased visual acuity. The initial best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in his right eye was 0.08, and in his left eye was negative light perception. Fundus exam showed bilateral optic disc swelling and hyperemia. Optic neuritis was diagnosed after tsutsugamushi infection, and high-dose intravenous steroid therapy was initiated according to the ONTT study protocol. Twelve months after treatment, the right eye BCVA improved to 1.0, but the left eye BCVA was only 0.06. CONCLUSIONS: The authors of the present study experienced a case of bilateral optic neuritis after tsutsugamushi infection with a relatively positive response to the steroid therapy.
Child ; Clavicle ; Eye ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Light ; Ophthalmology ; Optic Neuritis ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To report the first cases of Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty in patients with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. METHODS: Four eyes of 4 patients who had corneal edema from pseudophakic bullous keratopathy were enrolled. We performed femtosecond laser-assisted Descemet's membrane stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK). We then evaluated preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuities (BCVA), manifest refractions, keratometries, topographic astigmatisms, corneal pachymetries, and perioperative complications. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 6 months. Three of the four eyes had successful transplantations. Since the operation, these patients have shown improvement in visual acuity and have recovered from corneal edema. However, in one patient, the transplanted corneal disc was dislocated, and he needed an additional procedure for reattachment. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of corneal incisions or sutures in DSEK was helpful for maintaining corneal curvature and globe integrity after surgery. The surgery resulted in rapid visual rehabilitation and prevented suture-induced complications. With a femtosecond laser, we could prepare donor cornea in an automated and standardized fashion. In conclusion, femtosecond laser-assisted DSEK has significant advantages over standard penetrating keratoplasty for patients with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy.
Cornea ; Corneal Edema ; Corneal Transplantation ; Descemet Membrane ; Eye ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating ; Sutures ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Visual Acuity

No abstract available.
Blood Donors* ; Chungcheongnam-do* ; Humans