Skin photoaging occurs due to chronic exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UV), the main factor contributing to extrinsic skin aging. Clinical signs of photoaging include the formation of deep, coarse skin wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.Although melanogenesis and skin wrinkling occur in different skin cells and have different underlying mechanisms, their initiation involves intracellular calcium signaling via calcium ion channels. The ORAI1 channel initiates melanogenesis in melanocytes, and the TRPV1 channel initiates MMP-1 production in keratinocytes in response to UV stimulation. We aimed to develop a drug that may simultaneously inhibit ORAI1 and TRPV1 activity to help prevent photoaging. We synthesized nootkatol, a chemical derivative of valencene. TRPV1 and ORAI1 activities were measured using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+ ] i was measured using calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye (Fura-2 AM). UV-induced melanin formation and MMP-1 production were quantified in B16F10 melanoma cells and HaCaT cells, respectively. Our results indicate that nootkatol (90 μM) reduced TRPV1 current by 94% ± 2% at –60 mV and ORAI1 current by 97% ± 1% at –120 mV. Intracellular calcium signaling was significantly inhibited by nootkatol in response to ORAI1 activation in human primary melanocytes (51.6% ± 0.98% at 100 μM). Additionally, UV-induced melanin synthesis was reduced by 76.38% ± 5.90% in B16F10 melanoma cells, and UV-induced MMP-1 production was reduced by 59.33% ± 1.49% in HaCaT cells. In conclusion, nootkatol inhibits both TRPV1 and ORAI1 to prevent photoaging, and targeting ion channels may be a promising strategy for preventing photoaging.

Skin photoaging occurs due to chronic exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UV), the main factor contributing to extrinsic skin aging. Clinical signs of photoaging include the formation of deep, coarse skin wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.Although melanogenesis and skin wrinkling occur in different skin cells and have different underlying mechanisms, their initiation involves intracellular calcium signaling via calcium ion channels. The ORAI1 channel initiates melanogenesis in melanocytes, and the TRPV1 channel initiates MMP-1 production in keratinocytes in response to UV stimulation. We aimed to develop a drug that may simultaneously inhibit ORAI1 and TRPV1 activity to help prevent photoaging. We synthesized nootkatol, a chemical derivative of valencene. TRPV1 and ORAI1 activities were measured using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+ ] i was measured using calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye (Fura-2 AM). UV-induced melanin formation and MMP-1 production were quantified in B16F10 melanoma cells and HaCaT cells, respectively. Our results indicate that nootkatol (90 μM) reduced TRPV1 current by 94% ± 2% at –60 mV and ORAI1 current by 97% ± 1% at –120 mV. Intracellular calcium signaling was significantly inhibited by nootkatol in response to ORAI1 activation in human primary melanocytes (51.6% ± 0.98% at 100 μM). Additionally, UV-induced melanin synthesis was reduced by 76.38% ± 5.90% in B16F10 melanoma cells, and UV-induced MMP-1 production was reduced by 59.33% ± 1.49% in HaCaT cells. In conclusion, nootkatol inhibits both TRPV1 and ORAI1 to prevent photoaging, and targeting ion channels may be a promising strategy for preventing photoaging.

Purpose: This study sought to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the shortening effect of the modified Weil osteotomy for the treatment of Freiberg’s disease. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 21 cases treated with the modified Weil osteotomy for Freiberg’s disease from November 2005 to June 2019. The average follow-up period was 32.5 months and the mean age of the patients was 38.3 years. The clinical results were analyzed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) lesser metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale, the visual analogue scale (VAS), and the range of motion (ROM) of the metatarsophalangeal joint. In the radiologic evaluation, the length of preoperative and postoperative metatarsal shortening was compared. Results: The average AOFAS lesser metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale showed an improvement from 60.5 preoperatively to 90.9 at the latest follow-up. VAS showed a decrease from 5.4 preoperatively to 0.9 at the latest follow-up. ROM of the affected metatarsophalangeal joint increased from 40.2 degrees preoperatively to 58.6 degrees at the latest follow-up. The mean length of metatarsal shortening was 6.7 mm. There was no transfer metatarsalgia, osteonecrosis, and definite joint space narrowing. Conclusion Modified Weil osteotomy with second layer cutting is an effective treatment option to restore the joint surface and painless joint motion for patients with Freiberg’s disease.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of growth hormone(GH) secretion on serum concentration of leptin, we evaluated the differences in serum concentration of leptin between patients with growth hormone deficiency(GHD) and GH normal short stature in prepubertal male children, and the relationship between GH and serum leptin level. Also, we analyzed the correlation between serum concentrations of leptin and insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3(IGFBP-3), total cholesterol(TC), free fatty acid(FFA) and body mass index(BMI). METHODS: Eight cases with GHD and 10 cases with GH normal short stature were included in this study. Patients were all male, prepubertal children with mean age 10.6 years. Blood samples were collected in these patients by L-dopa GH provocation test. Statistical analysis of the comparisons of serum leptin level and correlation of multiple variables were performed using PC-SAS program. Significance was defined as P<0.05. RESULTS: The mean serum concentration of leptin in GHD(12.27+/-10.63ng/mL) was significantly higher than in GH normal short stature(5.39+/-3.21ng/mL)(P=0.0344). Serum concentration of leptin was negatively correlated to GH(y=-7.7x+43.3, r=-0.23, P=0.0109). Serum concentration of leptin was positively correlated to BMI(y=2.5x-33.3, r=0.75, P=0.0003). Serum concentration of leptin was not correlated to IGF-I, IGFBP-3, TC and FFA. CONCLUSION: Serum concentration of leptin was siginificantly increased in patients with GHD compared to GH normal short stature and was negatively correlated to GH.
Child ; Growth Hormone* ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Leptin* ; Levodopa ; Male

Purpose: We report a first case of traction retinal detachment accompanied by ocular syphilis in Korea.Case summary: A 20-year-old male visited with poor left-eye vision. His best-corrected visual acuity was 0.3; no inflammation was evident in the anterior chamber, but many inflammatory cells were found in the vitreous cavity. Fundus examination revealed inferior exudative and tractional retinal detachment. Optical coherence tomography revealed an epiretinal membrane; fluorescein angiography showed that the inferior (detached) retina did not fluoresce. Syphilis was serologically detected; ceftriaxone (2 g daily) was intravenously injected for 14 days. The vitreous cavity inflammation improved, but the tractional membrane proliferation triggered tractional retinal detachment. We performed vitrectomy to remove the tractional membrane and prescribed intravitreal antibiotics. The patient was discharged after intravenous injection of penicillin G (20 MU daily) for 14 days. Three months after surgery, the best-corrected left-eye visual acuity had improved to 0.8, and no recurrence of the retinal detachment was noted. Conclusions Patients with ocular syphilis may evidence retinal detachment despite initial prescription of systemic antibiotics. A possible need for surgery should be kept in mind; the prognosis is good if an operation is performed in a timely manner.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of lacrimal endoscopy on operation time in silicone tube intubation for patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Methods: We conducted retrograde chart review of 168 eyes of 107 patients who were diagnosed with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and underwent silicone tube intubation from January 2019 to February 2023. We analyzed relationship between use of lacrimal endoscopy and operation time, and effect of operation time on success rate of surgery according to use of lacrimal endoscopy. Results: Of 168 eyes, 58 eyes underwent silicone tube intubation with lacrimal endoscopy, and 110 eyes underwent silicone tube intubation without lacrimal endoscopy. Average operation time was 10.98 ± 2.24 minutes in the group with lacrimal endoscopy, and 12.44 ± 4.08 minutes in the group without lacrimal endoscopy. Operation time in the group with lacrimal endoscopy was relatively shorter and statistically significant (p = 0.003). When analyzing correlation between operation time and success rate, success rate decreased by 0.877 times when operation time increased by 1 minute in the entire group, and there was statistical significance (p = 0.022). There was no statistical significance in the correlation between operation time and success rate in the group with lacrimal endoscopy. And in the group without lacrimal endoscopy, success rate decreased by 0.865 times when operation time increased by 1 minute, and there was statistical significance (p = 0.019). Conclusions In silicone tube intubation for nasolacrimal duct obstruction, Lacrimal endoscopy is considered an effective treatment that can shorten operation time and prevent complications while accurately diagnosing cause and extent of obstruction by investigating the inside of the nasolacrimal duct.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of lacrimal endoscopy on operation time in silicone tube intubation for patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Methods: We conducted retrograde chart review of 168 eyes of 107 patients who were diagnosed with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and underwent silicone tube intubation from January 2019 to February 2023. We analyzed relationship between use of lacrimal endoscopy and operation time, and effect of operation time on success rate of surgery according to use of lacrimal endoscopy. Results: Of 168 eyes, 58 eyes underwent silicone tube intubation with lacrimal endoscopy, and 110 eyes underwent silicone tube intubation without lacrimal endoscopy. Average operation time was 10.98 ± 2.24 minutes in the group with lacrimal endoscopy, and 12.44 ± 4.08 minutes in the group without lacrimal endoscopy. Operation time in the group with lacrimal endoscopy was relatively shorter and statistically significant (p = 0.003). When analyzing correlation between operation time and success rate, success rate decreased by 0.877 times when operation time increased by 1 minute in the entire group, and there was statistical significance (p = 0.022). There was no statistical significance in the correlation between operation time and success rate in the group with lacrimal endoscopy. And in the group without lacrimal endoscopy, success rate decreased by 0.865 times when operation time increased by 1 minute, and there was statistical significance (p = 0.019). Conclusions In silicone tube intubation for nasolacrimal duct obstruction, Lacrimal endoscopy is considered an effective treatment that can shorten operation time and prevent complications while accurately diagnosing cause and extent of obstruction by investigating the inside of the nasolacrimal duct.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of lacrimal endoscopy on operation time in silicone tube intubation for patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Methods: We conducted retrograde chart review of 168 eyes of 107 patients who were diagnosed with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and underwent silicone tube intubation from January 2019 to February 2023. We analyzed relationship between use of lacrimal endoscopy and operation time, and effect of operation time on success rate of surgery according to use of lacrimal endoscopy. Results: Of 168 eyes, 58 eyes underwent silicone tube intubation with lacrimal endoscopy, and 110 eyes underwent silicone tube intubation without lacrimal endoscopy. Average operation time was 10.98 ± 2.24 minutes in the group with lacrimal endoscopy, and 12.44 ± 4.08 minutes in the group without lacrimal endoscopy. Operation time in the group with lacrimal endoscopy was relatively shorter and statistically significant (p = 0.003). When analyzing correlation between operation time and success rate, success rate decreased by 0.877 times when operation time increased by 1 minute in the entire group, and there was statistical significance (p = 0.022). There was no statistical significance in the correlation between operation time and success rate in the group with lacrimal endoscopy. And in the group without lacrimal endoscopy, success rate decreased by 0.865 times when operation time increased by 1 minute, and there was statistical significance (p = 0.019). Conclusions In silicone tube intubation for nasolacrimal duct obstruction, Lacrimal endoscopy is considered an effective treatment that can shorten operation time and prevent complications while accurately diagnosing cause and extent of obstruction by investigating the inside of the nasolacrimal duct.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of lacrimal endoscopy on operation time in silicone tube intubation for patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Methods: We conducted retrograde chart review of 168 eyes of 107 patients who were diagnosed with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction and underwent silicone tube intubation from January 2019 to February 2023. We analyzed relationship between use of lacrimal endoscopy and operation time, and effect of operation time on success rate of surgery according to use of lacrimal endoscopy. Results: Of 168 eyes, 58 eyes underwent silicone tube intubation with lacrimal endoscopy, and 110 eyes underwent silicone tube intubation without lacrimal endoscopy. Average operation time was 10.98 ± 2.24 minutes in the group with lacrimal endoscopy, and 12.44 ± 4.08 minutes in the group without lacrimal endoscopy. Operation time in the group with lacrimal endoscopy was relatively shorter and statistically significant (p = 0.003). When analyzing correlation between operation time and success rate, success rate decreased by 0.877 times when operation time increased by 1 minute in the entire group, and there was statistical significance (p = 0.022). There was no statistical significance in the correlation between operation time and success rate in the group with lacrimal endoscopy. And in the group without lacrimal endoscopy, success rate decreased by 0.865 times when operation time increased by 1 minute, and there was statistical significance (p = 0.019). Conclusions In silicone tube intubation for nasolacrimal duct obstruction, Lacrimal endoscopy is considered an effective treatment that can shorten operation time and prevent complications while accurately diagnosing cause and extent of obstruction by investigating the inside of the nasolacrimal duct.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to explore the association among DRD4 polymorphism, temperament and alcohol drinking behavior of Koreans in their early adulthood. METHOD: Participants were 172 healthy Korean adults (mean age 28.1 +/- 0.8). Their temperament was assessed with the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and their alcohol drinking behavior were evaluated with a self-reported questionnaire including the CAGE and the Korean version of Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-K). DRD4 exon III 48 base pair variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) was genotyped by PCR. RESULTS: No significant association was found between DRD4 polymorphism and TCI temperament dimension (novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence, and persistence) as well as alcohol drinking behavior scales. However, novelty seeking was significantly associated with alcohol drinking behavior. The higher level of novelty seeking was associated with the higher severity index of drinking (B = -0.225, p < 0.001) and problematic alcohol use on the CAGE and AUDIT-K [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.111, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.021-1.209, p = 0.015, OR = 1.087, 95% CI 1.009-1.170, p = 0.028]. CONCLUSION: In our study, while there is no significant association of DRD4 polymorphism with temperament and alcohol drinking behavior, novelty seeking affects problematic alcohol use. Results suggest that novelty seeking may play an important role in problematic alcohol use in young Korean adults.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Base Pairing ; Dopamine ; Drinking ; Exons ; Humans ; Minisatellite Repeats ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Dopamine D4 ; Reward ; Temperament ; Weights and Measures ; Surveys and Questionnaires