Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT) in patients taking oral corticosteroids for extended periods, and to aid in managing intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with these risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed involving 690 patients who visited a tertiary referral hospital and had been using oral corticosteroids for more than six months. Patients' demographics, tonometry results, drug type, dosage, duration, ophthalmic history, and the use of glaucoma eye drops were analyzed to determine the risk factors associated with glaucoma or OHT. Results: In a generalized linear model analysis comparing patients' eyes diagnosed with glaucoma or ocular hypertension to those without such diagnoses, no statistical difference was observed between the two groups in terms of drug type, age, and duration of oral corticosteroid use. However, the dosage was found to be statistically significant (odds ratio 1.09, p = 0.0294). Conclusions No difference in the incidence of glaucoma or OHT was found based on the type of oral steroid, age, or duration of use. However, a higher incidence of glaucoma and OHT was observed among patients taking higher doses of oral steroids. Therefore, it is suggested that using lower doses of oral steroids may be more beneficial for managing IOP.

Background: Liver fibrosis is an early stage of liver cirrhosis. As a reversible lesion before cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer, it has been a target for drug discovery. Many antifibrotic candidates have shown promising results in experimental animal models; however, due to adverse clinical reactions, most antifibrotic agents are still preclinical. Therefore, rodent models have been used to examine the histopathological differences between the control and treatment groups to evaluate the efficacy of anti-fibrotic agents in non-clinical research. In addition, with improvements in digital image analysis incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), a few researchers have developed an automated quantification of fibrosis. However, the performance of multiple deep learning algorithms for the optimal quantification of hepatic fibrosis has not been evaluated. Here, we investigated three different localization algorithms, mask R-CNN, DeepLabV3+, and SSD, to detect hepatic fibrosis. Results: 5750 images with 7503 annotations were trained using the three algorithms, and the model performance was evaluated in large-scale images and compared to the training images. The results showed that the precision values were comparable among the algorithms. However, there was a gap in the recall, leading to a difference in model accuracy. The mask R-CNN outperformed the recall value (0.93) and showed the closest prediction results to the annotation for detecting hepatic fibrosis among the algorithms. DeepLabV3+ also showed good performance; however, it had limitations in the misprediction of hepatic fibrosis as inflammatory cells and connective tissue. The trained SSD showed the lowest performance and was limited in predicting hepatic fibrosis compared to the other algorithms because of its low recall value (0.75). Conclusions We suggest it would be a more useful tool to apply segmentation algorithms in implementing AI algorithms to predict hepatic fibrosis in non-clinical studies.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to confirm the necessity of lumbar puncture to identify the cause of fever in febrile infants aged less than 3 months who visited an emergency department. METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted on 399 infants aged 31 days to 90 days who visited the emergency department with fever from March 2014 to February 2016. RESULTS: Of the 399 patients, 49 patients had serious bacterial infections (SBI), and were finally diagnosed with urinary tract infection (UTI), sepsis, and bacterial meningitis. Of these, only one case was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis, and this patient was accompanied by sepsis. UTIs were present in 47 patients, and only 1 case was diagnosed with sepsis without bacterial meningitis or UTI. The Boston criteria and Philadelphia criteria included the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) results for predicting SBI. In this study, the modified Philadelphia criteria was used, which does not include the CSF results, and there was no factor that showed a significant correlation as a result of statistical analysis. Rather, a C-reactive protein ≥50 mg/L, procalcitonin ≥2 ng/mL, and fever over 39℃C showed statistical significance with SBI. In this study, the 1 patient diagnosed with bacterial meningitis also met all three factors (C-reactive protein, 106 mg/L; procalcitonin, 40.25 ng/mL; peak body temperature, >39℃). CONCLUSION: Because the incidence of bacterial meningitis has decreased recently, when an infant under 3 months of age visits the emergency room with fever, lumbar puncture should be performed selectively to identify the cause.
Bacterial Infections ; Body Temperature ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Fever ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Meningitis ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Spinal Puncture* ; Urinary Tract Infections

PURPOSE: To report a case of rhino-orbito-cerebral aspergillosis successfully treated with a combination of amphotericin B, posaconazole and amphotericin B irrigation. CASE SUMMARY: A 59-year-old male with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia was admitted to our neurology department for left facial paresthesia, pain and consulted to ophthalmology for left eyeball pain. His visual acuity was no light perception in the left eye, and fundus examination showed papilledema and a cherry-red spot. Left exophthalmos and complete ptosis with ophthalmoplegia were also observed. Orbital computed tomography revealed left maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis, and nasal endoscopic examination revealed a black eschar adjacent to the middle turbinate. Subsequent biopsy suggested mucormycosis. The patient was immediately treated with a combination of amphotericin B and posaconazole. In addition, left endoscopic sinus surgery was performed and aspergillosis was histopathologically confirmed. The patient underwent amphotericin B irrigation for 5 days after canula insertion up to orbital apex. The patient survived for 18 months and is still alive. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of amphotericin B, posaconazole and amphotericin B irrigation using the canula through the orbital apex may be helpful in treating patients with rhino-orbito-cerebral aspergillosis who refuse orbital exenteration.
Amphotericin B* ; Aspergillosis* ; Biopsy ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Ethmoid Sinus ; Ethmoid Sinusitis ; Exophthalmos ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mucormycosis ; Neurology ; Ophthalmology ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Orbit ; Papilledema ; Paresthesia ; Turbinates ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUND: The aim of study was to confirm the clinical effectiveness and results of wide and single anterior approach for fractures occurring along length of humerus. METHODS: A total of 23 patients with humeral fracture were enrolled into our study who were able to participate in at least one year of follow-up. Seven patients had segmental comminuted humeral fractures and 16 patients had distal humeral fractures. We made various tractions of the muscles to expose the proximal and the middle third humerus between the biceps and brachialis and the distal humerus by partial splitting of lateral side of biceps through a single incision. Postoperatively, we measured the Mayo elbow performance index (MEPI). RESULTS: we achieved bone union in all 23 patients. Solid union of the bone was achieved at an average 13.9 weeks. Postoperatively, two complications were observed screw loosening and nonunion. Revision surgery was performed in both patients. The patient with bone nonunion was treated using bone grafts. No postoperative infections or peripheral neuropathies were observed. At the final follow-up (average 20 months), we found that the average MEPI functional score of the patients was 91.7 points regardless of the fracture site. CONCLUSIONS: Our whole humerus with a single incision was effective for the treatment of segmental comminuted and distal fractures. we believe it is a useful alternative to preexisting methods of fracture fixation.
Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation* ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; Humerus* ; Muscles ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Traction ; Transplants ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: In the present study, the effect of the inferior conjunctival transposition flap in patients with recurrent pterygium was evaluated. METHODS: This study included 60 patients (63 eyes) that received pterygium surgery with inferior conjunctival transposition flap and diagnosed with recurrent pterygium. The inferior conjunctival transposition flap obtained from lower bulbar conjunctiva was secured with 8-0 VICRYL® after removal of recurrent fibrovascular tissues. This study was retrospectively reviewed for recurrence and postoperative complications in patients with a minimum follow-up period over 6 months. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 5 years and 8 months (range; 6 months to 14 years). Corneal recurrence occurred in 4 eyes (6.3%) and conjunctival recurrence was observed in 2 eyes (3.1%) among a total of 63 eyes. Conjunctival recurrence was not the progressive type and limited to the limbus and suture site. One case of corneal recurrence required additional symblepharolysis and auto conjunctival graft. Although mild flap congestion, hemorrhage and granuloma were observed, these cases improved during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The inferior conjunctival transposition flap procedure can be regarded as an effective surgical treatment option for recurrent pterygium.
Conjunctiva ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Follow-Up Studies ; Granuloma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications ; Pterygium* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sutures ; Transplants

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes, including the complications, of open reduction and internal fixation using a headless cannulated compression screw for a fifth metatarsal base fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 11 patients with 5th metatarsal base fracture who were treated with a headless cannulated compression screw. The mean follow-up period was 13 months (8~15 months), and the mean age was 46.5 years (21~70 years). We analyzed the patients' sex, age, time to union, amount of fracture displacement, and complications. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score was used for clinical assessment. RESULTS: The average amount of displacement decreased significantly from 3.4 mm (2.1~5.2 mm), preoperatively, to 0.4 mm (0~1.3 mm), postoperatively (p<0.001). The average bone union time was 54.1 days (41~68 days). There were no complications, such as a metal failure, irritation, and loss of a reduction. The mean AOFAS midfoot score was 97.7 (90~100) at 6 months, postoperatively. CONCLUSION: We suggest that a headless cannulated compression screw for 5th metatarsal base fracture is a useful and alternative method for a firm fixation without complications.
Ankle ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Humans ; Metatarsal Bones* ; Methods ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: The aim of study was to confirm the clinical effectiveness and results of wide and single anterior approach for fractures occurring along length of humerus. METHODS: A total of 23 patients with humeral fracture were enrolled into our study who were able to participate in at least one year of follow-up. Seven patients had segmental comminuted humeral fractures and 16 patients had distal humeral fractures. We made various tractions of the muscles to expose the proximal and the middle third humerus between the biceps and brachialis and the distal humerus by partial splitting of lateral side of biceps through a single incision. Postoperatively, we measured the Mayo elbow performance index (MEPI). RESULTS: we achieved bone union in all 23 patients. Solid union of the bone was achieved at an average 13.9 weeks. Postoperatively, two complications were observed screw loosening and nonunion. Revision surgery was performed in both patients. The patient with bone nonunion was treated using bone grafts. No postoperative infections or peripheral neuropathies were observed. At the final follow-up (average 20 months), we found that the average MEPI functional score of the patients was 91.7 points regardless of the fracture site. CONCLUSIONS: Our whole humerus with a single incision was effective for the treatment of segmental comminuted and distal fractures. we believe it is a useful alternative to preexisting methods of fracture fixation.
Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; Humerus ; Muscles ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Traction ; Transplants ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of human placental extract (HPE) in an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHOD: We used (i) KRN C57BL/6 TCR transgenic x NOD mice (KBx/N) serum transfer arthritis and (ii) collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice to evaluate the effi cacy of HPE (1 ul or 100 ul, intra-peritoneal, three times per week) on RA. Incidence, severity of arthritis, and hind-paw thickness were quantifi ed. Joint destruction was analyzed using modifi ed mammographic imaging. Histopathological analysis for inflammation, cartilage, and osteoclasts was performed using Hematoxylin-eosin (H-E), safranin-O, and tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase (TRAP). ELISAs were used for detection of various cytokines in serum and joint tissue. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in incidence of arthritis, clinical scores of arthritis, and hind-paw thickness between HPE-treated and vehicle-treated groups for up to 2 weeks in the KBx/N serum transfer arthritis model. Histopathological analysis also showed no differences 2 weeks after treatment. Levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, and RANKL in serum and joint tissues were similar in all groups. Furthermore, there were no differences in clinical, radiological, and histological parameters between HPE-treated and vehicle-treated group for 3 weeks in the CIA model. CONCLUSION: Systemic treatment with HPE has no beneficial effects on arthritis in animal models of RA. Therefore, indiscreet use of HPE in RA should be forbidden.
Animals ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Experimental ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Cartilage ; Cytokines ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Joints ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Models, Animal ; Osteoclasts ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of human placental extract (HPE) in an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHOD: We used (i) KRN C57BL/6 TCR transgenic x NOD mice (KBx/N) serum transfer arthritis and (ii) collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice to evaluate the effi cacy of HPE (1 ul or 100 ul, intra-peritoneal, three times per week) on RA. Incidence, severity of arthritis, and hind-paw thickness were quantifi ed. Joint destruction was analyzed using modifi ed mammographic imaging. Histopathological analysis for inflammation, cartilage, and osteoclasts was performed using Hematoxylin-eosin (H-E), safranin-O, and tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase (TRAP). ELISAs were used for detection of various cytokines in serum and joint tissue. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in incidence of arthritis, clinical scores of arthritis, and hind-paw thickness between HPE-treated and vehicle-treated groups for up to 2 weeks in the KBx/N serum transfer arthritis model. Histopathological analysis also showed no differences 2 weeks after treatment. Levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, and RANKL in serum and joint tissues were similar in all groups. Furthermore, there were no differences in clinical, radiological, and histological parameters between HPE-treated and vehicle-treated group for 3 weeks in the CIA model. CONCLUSION: Systemic treatment with HPE has no beneficial effects on arthritis in animal models of RA. Therefore, indiscreet use of HPE in RA should be forbidden.
Animals ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Experimental ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Cartilage ; Cytokines ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Joints ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Models, Animal ; Osteoclasts ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha