PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of curcumin, known to inhibit hypoxia-inducible factor-1, on retinal neovascularization in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). METHODS: OIR was induced by exposing C57BL/6 mice on postnatal day 7 (P7) to 75% hyperoxia for 5 days, followed by 5 days in a room with normal oxygen level. Curcumin was administered intraperitoneally once a day for 5 days from P12 or intravitreally once on P13. Mice retinas on P17 were analyzed for retinal neovascularization, which was compared between curcumin-treated and control mice. RESULTS: After intraperitoneal and intravitreal administration of curcumin, qualitative assessment of retinal neovascularization of flat-mounted retina showed no significant difference compared to control retinas. Quantitative assessment of retinal neovascularization also showed no significant difference between curcumin-treated and control mice. CONCLUSIONS: Both intraperitoneal and intravitreal administration of curcumin did not reduce retinal neovascularization in an OIR mouse model. Further investigation including development of new formulations is required for the use of curcumin as an anti-angiogenic agent for retinal neovascularization.
Animals ; Curcumin* ; Hyperoxia ; Mice* ; Oxygen ; Retina ; Retinal Neovascularization ; Retinopathy of Prematurity

Neuroinflammation is associated with the pathophysiologies of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Evaluating neuroinflammation using positron emission tomography (PET) plays an important role in the early diagnosis and determination of proper treatment of brain diseases. To quantify neuroinflammatory responses in vivo, many PET tracers have been developed using translocator proteins, imidazole-2 binding site, cyclooxygenase, monoamine oxidase-B, adenosine, cannabinoid, purinergic P2X7, and CSF-1 receptors as biomarkers. In this review, we introduce the latest developments in PET tracers that can image neuroinflammation, focusing on clinical trials, and further consider their current implications.

Testicular regression syndrome is representative of a clinical range of 46,XY agonadal persons, in which the testes of the victim's are irreparably damaged at a critical stage in fetal development. The critical stage of testicular regression syndrome is represented by a range of abnormalities of genital development. Recently, we experienced a case of early fetal testicular regression syndrome with no definite gonad and a cloacal anomaly associated with imperforate anus, so we present it with brief review of literature.
Anus, Imperforate ; Fetal Development ; Gonads ; Humans ; Testis

We report an anesthetic experience in a clinically euthyroid patient with hyperthyroxinemia (elevated free thyroxine, fT4 and normal 3, 5, 3'-L-triiodothyronine, T3) and suspected impairment of conversion from T4 to T3. Despite marked hyperthyroxinemia, this patient's perioperative hemodynamic profile was suspected to be the result of hypothyroidism, in reference to the presence of T4 to T3 conversion disorder. We suspected that pretreatment with antithyroid medication before surgery, surgical stress and anesthesia may have contributed to the decreased T3 level after surgery. She was treated with liothyronine sodium (T3) after surgery which restored her hemodynamic profile to normal. Anesthesiologists may be aware of potential risk and caveats of inducing hypothyroidism in patients with euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia and T4 to T3 conversion impairment.
Anesthesia ; Conversion Disorder ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hyperthyroxinemia* ; Hypothyroidism ; Sodium ; Thyroxine ; Triiodothyronine

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of the estrogen receptor alpha gene polymorphism (PvuII and XbaI) with outcomes of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in- vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). METHODS: The PvuII and XbaI in the estrogen receptor gene was analyzed by PCR-RFLP in 189 infertile women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Comparisons were done between the three PvuII or XbaI genotypes, concerning the numbers of follicles and oocytes, the ratio of oocytes to follicles, serum estradiol concentrations, total dose of gonadotropins, number of transferred embryos, implantation rate and pregnancy rate. RESULTS: In this study, there was no statistically significant difference in outcomes of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, except total dose of gonadotropins used among three genotypes of PvuII or XbaI polymorphism. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor gene are not associated with the outcomes of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF-ET in Korean infertile women.
Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Estradiol ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Fertilization* ; Genotype ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy Rate

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between the chronotype and the burnout, so we investigated the mediating effects of the mediators such as perceived stress, stress response, and depression. Methods: Employees working at Incheon Customs conducted a mental health self-examination through the internet. Among them, 174 people who agreed to the mental health survey participated in the study. Participants completed questionnaires including Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM), Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Stress Response Inventory (SRI), Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). Results: Our results showed a higher degree of CES-D, SRI, exhaustion, and cynicism in evening and intermediate type compared to morning type, and a higher degree of professional efficacy in morning type compared to intermediate type. CSM was shown to have a direct effect on exhaustion and indirect effect through CES-D and SRI. CSM also had a direct effect on professional efficacy and had an indirect effect through the CES-D. However, CSM was found to have only indirect effects through the SRI for Cynicism. Conclusions In this study, individuals with evening type tend to experience a high degree of burnout (exhaustion, cynicism and professional efficacy) through the mediation effect of depression and stress response. Further study is necessary to reveal the effect of management of the depression and stress response in the employee with evening type.

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between the chronotype and the burnout, so we investigated the mediating effects of the mediators such as perceived stress, stress response, and depression. Methods: Employees working at Incheon Customs conducted a mental health self-examination through the internet. Among them, 174 people who agreed to the mental health survey participated in the study. Participants completed questionnaires including Composite Scale of Morningness (CSM), Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Stress Response Inventory (SRI), Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). Results: Our results showed a higher degree of CES-D, SRI, exhaustion, and cynicism in evening and intermediate type compared to morning type, and a higher degree of professional efficacy in morning type compared to intermediate type. CSM was shown to have a direct effect on exhaustion and indirect effect through CES-D and SRI. CSM also had a direct effect on professional efficacy and had an indirect effect through the CES-D. However, CSM was found to have only indirect effects through the SRI for Cynicism. Conclusions In this study, individuals with evening type tend to experience a high degree of burnout (exhaustion, cynicism and professional efficacy) through the mediation effect of depression and stress response. Further study is necessary to reveal the effect of management of the depression and stress response in the employee with evening type.

Background: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a condition with an uncertain global incidence, and information on its diagnosis and management is limited. This study aimed to address these knowledge gaps. Methods: This study utilized customized claims data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) in South Korea from January 2010, to December 2021. Patients with HP were identified based on the diagnosis code (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, J67) between 2011 and 2020. Incident HP cases were defined as new HP claims, excluding those with claims in the previous year. The study examined various factors such as age, sex, comorbidities, diagnostic methods, and treatment patterns. Additionally, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with treatment initiation. Results: A total of 8,678 HP incident cases were confirmed, with age- and sex-adjusted annual incidence rates ranging from 1.14/100,000 in 2020 to 2.16/100,000 in 2012. The mean age of patients with incident HP was 52 years, with a higher incidence observed among males. Additionally, the most common comorbidity was asthma. Bronchoscopy was performed on 16.9% of patients, and 25.4% of patients did not receive treatment within 1 year of diagnosis. Among those who received treatment, prednisone was the most used systemic steroid, and azathioprine was the most commonly used second-line immunosuppressant.Factors associated with treatment initiation included the female sex, having asthma or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and undergoing bronchoscopy. Conclusion This study provides valuable insights into the incidence, diagnosis, and treatment patterns of HP in South Korea using nationwide medical claims data.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of FSH receptor (FSHR) polymorphism at position 680 with outcomes of controlled ovarian hyper-stimulation for IVF-ET in Korean women. Design: Genetic polymorphism analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The FSHR polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP in 172 ovulatory women below the age of 40 year. Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, or previous history of ovarian surgery were excluded. RESULTS: Genotype distribution was 41.9% for the Asn/Asn, 47.7% for the Asn/Ser, and 10.5% for the Ser/Ser FSHR genotype group. There was no difference in age of subjects and infertility diagnosis between genotype groups. When the patients were grouped according to their FSHR genotype, the basal levels of FSH (day 3) were significantly different among the three groups (6.0+/-0.3 IU/L (mean+/-SEM), 5.8+/-0.3 IU/L, and 8.6+/-1.2 IU/L for the Asn/Asn, Asn/Ser, and Ser/Ser groups, respectively, p=0.002). The Ser/Ser group showed a higher total doses of gonadotropins required to achieve ovulation induction, and a lower serum estradiol levels at the time of hCG administration compared with other two groups, but the differences were of no statistical significance. The numbers of oocytes retrieved were significantly different among the three groups (8.6+/-0.8, 9.9+/-0.6, and 6.3+/-0.9, for the Asn/Asn, Asn/Ser, and Ser/Ser groups, respectively, p=0.049). Clinical pregnancy rates were 42.4%, 25.9%, and 29.4% for the Asn/Asn, Asn/Ser, and Ser/Ser groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Homozygous Ser/Ser genotype of FSHR polymorphism at position 680 was associated with decreased ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation for IVF-ET.
Diagnosis ; Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Endometriosis ; Estradiol ; Female ; Fertilization* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone* ; Genotype ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; Infertility ; Oocytes ; Ovulation Induction ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy Rate ; Receptors, FSH*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical efficacy of intraovarian artery stromal Doppler ultrasonography and serum glycodelin (placental protein 14, PP14) as prognostic factors of pregnancy in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles. METHODS: Fifty seven infertile women undergoing IVF-ET were recruited at SNUH from April, 2003 to March, 2004. All IVF-ET patients received controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) using gonadotropins with either GnRH agonist or GnRH antagonist. Doppler ultrasonographic measurements were performed by Sonoace-8800 (Medison) with 5.5 MHz transvaginal probe. Pulsatility Index (PI) of intraovarian stromal artery was evaluated on the first day of ovarian stimulation and the day of hCG administration. Blood sampling for hormonal assay including PP14 was taken at the time of the first day of ovarian stimulation, hCG administration, oocyte retrieval, and embryo transfer (ET). Serum hormonal profiles, PI, and outcomes of COH and IVF-ET were compared between clinically pregnant (n=12) and nonpregnant (n=45) groups. RESULTS: Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were comparable in both groups except body mass index (BMI). There was no significant correlation between BMI and serum PP14 levels or PI measured in intraovarian stromal artery. Pregnant group had significantly higher fertilization rate and larger number of cryopreserved embryos. The mean serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, LH and FSH were not different between the two groups. When compared with the nonpregnant group, serum PP14 levels were lower in the pregnant group throughout the treatment cycle, but there was no statistical significance. PI of intraovarian stromal artery on hCG day was significantly lower in the pregnant group (1.2 +/- 0.4 vs. 1.8 +/- 0.8). There was no significant correlation between serum PP14 levels and PI. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that serum PP14 levels cannot be a prognostic factor in IVF-ET. The development of more sensitive assay method is required. PI of intraovarian stromal artery on hCG day can be clinically more useful in predicting the success of IVF-ET.
Arteries* ; Body Mass Index ; Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Estradiol ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Ovulation Induction ; Pregnancy* ; Progesterone ; Ultrasonography, Doppler*