PURPOSE: To compare the surgically induced posterior astigmatism of microcoaxial cataract surgery using a 2.2 mm incision and conventional cataract surgery using a 2.85 mm incision. METHODS: This study included 56 eyes that underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens insertion. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: 26 eyes receiving a microcoaxial cataract surgery using a 2.2 mm incision (MCCS group) and 30 eyes receiving a conventional cataract surgery using a 2.85 mm incision (CCS group). Anterior, posterior and total corneal astigmatism was measured. The surgically induced anterior astigmatism, surgically induced posterior astigmatism and surgically induced total astigmatism were compared between MCCS and CCS groups. Corneal astigmatism was measured using a Pentacam(R) device (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany), uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity and corneal aberrations of front and rear side was measured preoperatively and at 1 day, 1 month and 2 months postoperatively. RESULTS: There was no difference in surgically induced posterior astigmatism between CCS and MCCS groups, however, surgically induced anterior astigmatism and surgically induced total astigmatism were significantly lower in the MCCS group than in the CCS group (p = 0.005 and, p = 0.036, respectively). There was a significant positive linear correlation between surgically induced posterior astigmatism and surgically induced total astigmatism in the CCS group (p = 0.01, r = 0.563). There was also a significant positive linear correlation between surgically induced anterior astigmatism and surgically induced total astigmatism in both CCS and MCCS groups (CCS group: p = 0.00, r = 0.855; MCCS group: p = 0.039, r = 0.407). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the surgically induced posterior astigmatism between the MCCS and CCS groups. However, surgically induced posterior astigmatism significantly affected surgically induced total astigmatism in the CCS group but not in the MCCS group. Considering both anterior and posterior astigmatism of the cornea, microcoaxial cataract surgery using a 2.2 mm incision affects surgically induced total astigmatism less than conventional cataract surgery.
Astigmatism* ; Cataract* ; Cornea ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Phacoemulsification ; Visual Acuity

In published article by Li et al., an author's name was misspelled.

PURPOSE: The chemical structure of tubulosine has been known since the mid-1960s. However, little is known about its biological and pharmacological functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the novel functions of tubulosine in cancer treatment, specifically in breast cancer. METHODS: An Unpaired (Upd)-induced Drosophila cell line and interleukin (IL)-6-stimulated human breast cancer cell lines were used to investigate the biological and pharmacological activities of tubulosine in vitro. To investigate the activities of tubulosine, we performed molecular and cellular experiments such as Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses, immunoprecipitation and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assays, and immunofluorescence staining using breast cancer cell lines. RESULTS: Tubulosine exhibited anticancer activity in IL-6-stimulated human breast cancer cells. Moreover, tubulosine reduced the tyrosine phosphorylation level and transcriptional activity of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) protein at 92E in Upd-induced Drosophila cells. Additionally, tubulosine suppressed IL-6-induced Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/STAT3 signaling, resulting in decreased viability and induction of apoptotic cell death in breast cancer cells. Interestingly, inhibition of IL-6-induced JAK2/STAT3 signaling by tubulosine was associated with the blocking of IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and glycoprotein 130 (gp130) binding. CONCLUSION: Tubulosine exhibits anticancer activity through functional inhibition of IL-6-induced JAK2/STAT3 signaling by targeting IL-6Rα/gp130 binding in breast cancer cells. These findings suggest that tubulosine may hold promise for the treatment of inflammation-associated cancers, including breast cancer.
Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cell Death ; Cell Line ; DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase ; Drosophila ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Immunoprecipitation ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Janus Kinase 2 ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Interleukin-6 ; Reverse Transcription ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; Transducers ; Tyrosine

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common diseases among aging men. Although previous studies have shown that type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE5-Is) are very effective for the treatment of ED, many researchers are currently attempting to identify therapeutic agents from natural sources with comparable or better effects than PDE5-Is. Herbal medicine is thought to be advantageous because it is natural; moreover, it not only treats isolated symptoms, but also maintains general well-being. Furthermore, since newly created chemical compound libraries have limited structural diversity with regard to pharmaceutical agents, more attention has recently been paid to the ability of oriental herbs to enhance physical health, including sexual function. Herein, we review the current status of Korean preclinical or clinical studies of the application of oriental herbs to sexual medicine.
Aging ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors ; Reproductive Health

PURPOSE: To analyze the relationship between ocular surface disease index and tear film lipid layer thickness (LLT) using a LipiView II® (LipiView® Ocular Surface Interferometer, TearScience®, Morrisville, NC, USA) interferometer. METHODS: Forty-nine patients diagnosed with dry eye syndrome were recruited for this prospective study. Patients completed ocular surface disease index questionnaires. We performed slit lamp examination, Schirmer test, corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining, measured tear film break-up time, and graded meibomian gland dysfunction. Tear LLT, blinking time, and dynamic meibomian imaging were analyzed using a LipiView II® ocular interferometer. To control for missing data, we analyzed four sets of imputated data via the multiple imputation method and performed Pearson correlation analysis. Patients were assigned to one of two LLT categories (LLT < 60 or LLT ≥ 60) and Chi-square test was performed. RESULTS: Among ocular surface disease parameters, tear film break-up time (tBUT) had a statistically significant correlation with average and maximum LLT (average LLT; p = 0.008, 0.035, 0.006, 0.049, maximum LLT; p = 0.006, 0.042, 0.020, 0.049, Pearson correlation analysis with multiple imputation) but there was no significant correlation with minimum LLT (minimum LLT; p = 0.048, 0.090, 0.079, 0.039). Of the patients with a relatively thick average LLT or maximum LLT (LLT ≥ 60 nm), 80% and 88% had a tBUT < 10, respectively. Conversely, 39% and 47% of patients with relatively thin average LLT (LLT < 60 nm) had a tBUT < 10 (average LLT; p = 0.013, maximum LLT; p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Average LLT and maximum LLT were significantly correlated with tBUT. Patients with a relatively thin average or maximum LLT tended to have a shorter tBUT. Based on these results, measuring tear film LLT using a LipiView II® interferometer may be useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with evaporative dry eye.
Blinking ; Diagnosis ; Dry Eye Syndromes ; Fluorescein ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Interferometry ; Meibomian Glands ; Methods ; Prospective Studies ; Slit Lamp ; Tears*

PURPOSE: To report a congenital monocular elevation deficiency (MED) associated with inferior rectus anomaly. CASE SUMMARY: A 3-year-old, otherwise healthy boy presented with left hypotropia. He showed chin-up and left head turn with left pseudoptosis. On examination, there was a left hypertropia of 60 prism diopters (PD) and esotropia in primary position. Upgaze -4 limitation in abduction and -3 from primary position, poor Bell's phenomenon, and normal vertical saccadic velocity until midline were observed. On orbital CT, thin and nasally displaced left inferior rectus showing enlargement at its posterior segments near the orbital apex was observed. Forced duction test at surgery revealed a strong positive restriction and thin, taut, fibrotic inferior rectus was inserted and displaced nasally. CONCLUSIONS: Left inferior rectus recession of 5.5 mm with 2.0 mm of temporal transposition improved elevation deficiency, but consecutive exotropia and hypotropia remained. Knapp procedure combined with left lateral rectus recession of 5.5 mm and left medial rectus resection of 4.5 mm, and right superior rectus recession of 9.5 mm were additionally performed. Pseudoptosis and chin elevation resolved but left hypotropia 10PD, and exotropia 6PD remained. Elevation restriction in primary position and abduction were improved but still persisted. This case indicated that MED may accompany congenital inferior rectus anomaly. If severe inferior rectus restriction is observed during the forced duction test, a structural anomaly of the inferior rectus causing motility defects of MED.
Chin ; Esotropia ; Exotropia ; Head ; Orbit ; Preschool Child ; Strabismus

PURPOSE: To report a congenital monocular elevation deficiency (MED) associated with inferior rectus anomaly. CASE SUMMARY: A 3-year-old, otherwise healthy boy presented with left hypotropia. He showed chin-up and left head turn with left pseudoptosis. On examination, there was a left hypertropia of 60 prism diopters (PD) and esotropia in primary position. Upgaze -4 limitation in abduction and -3 from primary position, poor Bell's phenomenon, and normal vertical saccadic velocity until midline were observed. On orbital CT, thin and nasally displaced left inferior rectus showing enlargement at its posterior segments near the orbital apex was observed. Forced duction test at surgery revealed a strong positive restriction and thin, taut, fibrotic inferior rectus was inserted and displaced nasally. CONCLUSIONS: Left inferior rectus recession of 5.5 mm with 2.0 mm of temporal transposition improved elevation deficiency, but consecutive exotropia and hypotropia remained. Knapp procedure combined with left lateral rectus recession of 5.5 mm and left medial rectus resection of 4.5 mm, and right superior rectus recession of 9.5 mm were additionally performed. Pseudoptosis and chin elevation resolved but left hypotropia 10PD, and exotropia 6PD remained. Elevation restriction in primary position and abduction were improved but still persisted. This case indicated that MED may accompany congenital inferior rectus anomaly. If severe inferior rectus restriction is observed during the forced duction test, a structural anomaly of the inferior rectus causing motility defects of MED.
Chin ; Esotropia ; Exotropia ; Head ; Orbit ; Preschool Child ; Strabismus

PURPOSE: To evaluate posterior capsular opacity (PCO) using straylight and glare sensitivity meter and to compare availability of straylight and glare sensitivity with known methods for PCO evaluation. METHODS: Thirty-six pseudophakic eyes with PCO were selected for this study. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), straylight (C-quant, Oculus GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) and glare sensitivity (Binoptometer, Oculus GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) were measured before mydriasis. After mydriasis, PCO images were captured with a slit-lamp and analyzed using the Evaluation of Posterior Capsular Opacification (EPCO) program (EPCO software, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany). The same measurements were taken after capsulotomy and compared with pre-capsulotomy data. RESULTS: After capsulotomy, BCVA, EPCO score and straylight were improved with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Cases of PCO with mildly decreased visual acuity showed statistically significantly improved EPCO score and straylight (p < 0.05). Glare sensitivity did not show significant improvement but was statistically significantly correlated with straylight (p = 0.023, Rho = 0.732). CONCLUSIONS: Straylight is an available measurement for evaluation of PCO. Glare sensitivity meter which correlates with straylight can be used as a supportive measurement.
Glare* ; Mydriasis ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate posterior capsular opacity (PCO) using straylight and glare sensitivity meter and to compare availability of straylight and glare sensitivity with known methods for PCO evaluation. METHODS: Thirty-six pseudophakic eyes with PCO were selected for this study. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), straylight (C-quant, Oculus GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) and glare sensitivity (Binoptometer, Oculus GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) were measured before mydriasis. After mydriasis, PCO images were captured with a slit-lamp and analyzed using the Evaluation of Posterior Capsular Opacification (EPCO) program (EPCO software, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany). The same measurements were taken after capsulotomy and compared with pre-capsulotomy data. RESULTS: After capsulotomy, BCVA, EPCO score and straylight were improved with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Cases of PCO with mildly decreased visual acuity showed statistically significantly improved EPCO score and straylight (p < 0.05). Glare sensitivity did not show significant improvement but was statistically significantly correlated with straylight (p = 0.023, Rho = 0.732). CONCLUSIONS: Straylight is an available measurement for evaluation of PCO. Glare sensitivity meter which correlates with straylight can be used as a supportive measurement.
Glare* ; Mydriasis ; Visual Acuity

Theileria (T.) buffeli (formerly T. sergenti/T. orientalis) is the major hemo-protozoan distributed in the Far East Asian countries such as Korea, China and Japan. It is responsible for the clinical symptoms of anorexia, ateliosis, anemia, fever and icterus. It also causes abortion and sudden death under severe cases, resulting in economic losses for many livestock farms. The objective of this study was to analyze the genetic diversity of the major surface protein (Msp) gene in T. buffeli in Holstein in Korea, and we characterized the association of the diversification of the Msp gene and its relationship with the pathogenicity of Theileria. For this, complete blood counts and Theileria PCR sequence analysis were performed from 57 Holstein in Jeju Island. A total of 26 PCR positive Holstein (16 anemic and 10 non-anemic) were then randomly selected based on 18s rRNA sequence typing of the Theileria Msp gene. The DNA sequence of the T. buffeli Msp gene in Holstein showed 99.0%, 99.2%, 99.9%, 99.5%, 98.7%, 98.4% and 98.4% homology with T. sergenti, Theileria spp., T. sergenti, Theileria spp., Theileria spp., Theileria spp. and Theileria spp., respectively. The result showed a genetic variation of 57.7% (type I), 3.8% (type II), 15.4% (type III), 7.7% (type IV), 13.5% (type V) and 1.9% (type VI). Type I is the most frequent type in both anemic and non-anemic Holstein while type II was found in only non-anemic Holstein. This results of our study help confirm the diversity of Msp gene types and demonstrate that the gene type distribution of Msp genes varies among Theileria-infected Holstein in Jeju Island.
Anemia ; Anorexia ; Antigenic Variation ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Base Sequence ; Blood Cell Count ; China ; Death, Sudden ; Far East ; Fever ; Genetic Variation ; Humans ; Japan ; Jaundice ; Korea ; Livestock ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis ; Theileria