Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of a non-diffractive extended-depth-of-focus (EDoF) intraocular lens in eyes by epiretinal membrane (ERM) stage. Methods: Clinical records of 289 eyes with AcrySof® IQ Vivity TM (Alcon Laboratories) implantation were reviewed. Eyes were grouped according to ERM stage as no ERM (n = 228), stage 1 (n = 29), stage 2 (n = 20), and stage 3 (n = 12) ERM. Corrected and uncorrected distant visual acuity (CDVA and UDVA, respectively), uncorrected intermediate and near visual acuity (UIVA and UNVA), contrast sensitivity detected by the area under the log contrast sensitivity function (AULCSF), Strehl ratio, area ratio, and intraocular aberration were compared. Results: There was no difference in UDVA, UIVA, UNVA, or CDVA between groups (p = 0.639, p = 0.871, p = 0.963, and p = 0.051, respectively). There was no significant difference in Strehl ratio (p = 0.208), area ratio at 4 mm (p = 0.434), area ratio at 5 mm (p = 0.511), or ocular aberrations (p = 0.311 for total aberration). The AULCSF showed significant differences during both day (1.48 ± 0.21, 1.41 ± 0.18, 1.33 ± 0.17, and 1.31 ± 0.19 for no ERM, stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3 ERM, respectively; p = 0.036) and night (1.21 ± 0.21, 1.22 ± 0.12, 1.02 ± 0.20, and 1.08 ± 0.10 for no ERM, stage 1, stage 2, and stage 3 ERM; p = 0.027). Conclusions Eyes with stage 3 ERM without outer retinal involvement may benefit from EDoF technology when there is no metamorphopsia and when accompanied by timely membrane removal.

This study was conducted to collect the patents of microbiome-based treatment technology for pets. An electronic search for microbiome or probiotics in brain nervous system disease was studied using the WINTELIPS database. Patent Cooperation Treaty of Korea, Japan, the EU, the US, and China that were registered by October 31, 2022 were selected in this study.A total of 206 patents were included for final analysis. Since 2016, patent activity has shown an explosive increase in recent years. China is the leading market in this technology field, and Korea has the second-highest market share. To provide the groundwork for the next research and development, we examined the industrial trend of microbiome for brain nervous system diseases in this study using an analysis of patents that have been applied for andregistered up to this point. Looking at the overall patent trends by year in the technology field related to treating of brain and nervous system diseases using the microbiome, there was a tendency to repeat increasing and decreasing trends. However, considering 2021 and 2022, which have undisclosed sections, it can be seen that patent activity has tended to increase explosively in recent years, starting in 2016. If related studies use the patent analysis data constructed in this way strategically, it is expected that it will lead to patent registration and the development of new products, ultimately contributing to the revitalization of the companion animal industry.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and the correlates of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in firefighters. We also investigated the mediating role of NSSI frequency in the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicidal behavior. Methods: A total of 51,505 Korean firefighters completed a web-based self-reported survey, including demographic and occupational characteristics, NSSI, PTSD, depression, and suicidal behavior. Multivariable logistic regression analyses and serial mediation analyses were performed. Results: The 1-year prevalence of NSSI was 4.67% in Korean firefighters. Female gender, the presence of recent traumatic experience, and PTSD and depression symptoms were correlated with NSSI. Serial mediation analyses revealed that NSSI frequency mediated the association between PTSD, depression, and suicidal behavior; it indicates more severe PTSD was sequentially associated with more severe depression symptoms and more frequent NSSI, leading to higher risk of suicidal behavior. Conclusion NSSI is prevalent and may play a significant mediating role when PTSD is associated with suicidal behavior in firefighters. Our results imply the need for screening and early intervention of NSSI in firefighters.

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy for the treatment of dry eye with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted for 124 eyes of 62 patients with dry eye with MGD who underwent 3 IPL sessions at 3 week intervals. All patients underwent clinical examination before and during treatment as well as 3 weeks after the last treatment. Measured parameters include Meibomian gland expressibility (MGE), Meibomian gland secretion (MGS) score, tear meniscus height (TMH), noninvasive break-time (NIBUT), corneal staining score (Oxford scale), Ocular Surface Diseases Index (OSDI), and subjective ocular discomfort improvement. Results: Meibomian gland function (MGE, MGS), ocular surface parameters (NIBUT, Oxford scale) and dry eye symptom (OSDI, subjective ocular discomfort improvement) of patients were significantly improved from baseline to after the 1st IPL, and the 3rd IPL weeks (p < 0.05 for all). However, no significant difference in TMH was observed. Conclusions This study showed that IPL was a useful and effective treatment in patients of dry eye with MGD to stabilizes the tear film and improve meibomian gland function and ocular symptoms.

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy for the treatment of dry eye with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted for 124 eyes of 62 patients with dry eye with MGD who underwent 3 IPL sessions at 3 week intervals. All patients underwent clinical examination before and during treatment as well as 3 weeks after the last treatment. Measured parameters include Meibomian gland expressibility (MGE), Meibomian gland secretion (MGS) score, tear meniscus height (TMH), noninvasive break-time (NIBUT), corneal staining score (Oxford scale), Ocular Surface Diseases Index (OSDI), and subjective ocular discomfort improvement. Results: Meibomian gland function (MGE, MGS), ocular surface parameters (NIBUT, Oxford scale) and dry eye symptom (OSDI, subjective ocular discomfort improvement) of patients were significantly improved from baseline to after the 1st IPL, and the 3rd IPL weeks (p < 0.05 for all). However, no significant difference in TMH was observed. Conclusions This study showed that IPL was a useful and effective treatment in patients of dry eye with MGD to stabilizes the tear film and improve meibomian gland function and ocular symptoms.

Purpose: : This study aimed to comprehensively understand the work experience of the person in charge of the adequacy evaluation of small-and medium-sized hospitals and explore its meaning and essence in-depth. Methods: : This was a descriptive qualitative study. The study participants were 10 nurses who understood the purpose of this study and participated voluntarily. Data collection was conducted via in-depth interviews in January 2021. The interviews were conducted 1-2 times per participant and lasted approximately 40-50 minutes per session. Data analysis was performed using a qualitative content analysis. Results: : The work experience of the person in charge of the adequacy evaluation of small-and medium-sized hospitals included four themes: “difficulty in preparing for evaluation,” “negative views on evaluation,” “lack of a support system,” and “positive improvements and changes due to an evaluation.” Conclusion : Based on the above results, an education program and support system should be developed to strengthen the competence of nurses in charge of the adequacy evaluation of small- and medium-sized hospitals.

Objective: We evaluated the incidence of newly diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during the 3rd trimester in women with suspected large for gestational age (LGA) fetuses on ultrasound and assessed their perinatal outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Singleton pregnant women with suspected LGA on the 3rd trimester ultrasound and whose results of GDM screening at midpregnancy had been normal were enrolled. All participants were retested with 100-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) within 2 days after diagnosis of LGA. We compared perinatal outcomes between the newly diagnosed with GDM group and the non-GDM group. Results: Among 169 pregnant women, 13% (23/169) were newly diagnosed with GDM. The women in the GDM group had a higher HbA1c level at diagnosis (5.8 vs. 5.3, P<0.01) and earlier gestational age at delivery (38.0 vs 38.9 weeks of gestation, P=0.003) than those in the non-GDM group. The rate of cesarean delivery (CD) was significantly higher in the GDM group than that in the non-GDM group (73.9%, vs. 49.3%, P=0.028) with similar proportions for the indications of CD except CD on maternal request (CDMR). The CDMR rate was higher in the GDM group than nonGDM group (41.2% vs. 23.6%) but it did not reach statistical significance. There were no significant differences in the obstetrical and neonatal complications between the two groups. Conclusion Among pregnant women with suspected LGA, 13% were newly diagnosed with GDM in late pregnancy. Nonetheless, there were no differences in the perinatal outcomes between women with newly diagnosed GDM and those without GDM. However, concerns over shoulder dystocia appear to increase CD rates in the GDM group.

Objective: We evaluated the incidence of newly diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during the 3rd trimester in women with suspected large for gestational age (LGA) fetuses on ultrasound and assessed their perinatal outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Singleton pregnant women with suspected LGA on the 3rd trimester ultrasound and whose results of GDM screening at midpregnancy had been normal were enrolled. All participants were retested with 100-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) within 2 days after diagnosis of LGA. We compared perinatal outcomes between the newly diagnosed with GDM group and the non-GDM group. Results: Among 169 pregnant women, 13% (23/169) were newly diagnosed with GDM. The women in the GDM group had a higher HbA1c level at diagnosis (5.8 vs. 5.3, P<0.01) and earlier gestational age at delivery (38.0 vs 38.9 weeks of gestation, P=0.003) than those in the non-GDM group. The rate of cesarean delivery (CD) was significantly higher in the GDM group than that in the non-GDM group (73.9%, vs. 49.3%, P=0.028) with similar proportions for the indications of CD except CD on maternal request (CDMR). The CDMR rate was higher in the GDM group than nonGDM group (41.2% vs. 23.6%) but it did not reach statistical significance. There were no significant differences in the obstetrical and neonatal complications between the two groups. Conclusion Among pregnant women with suspected LGA, 13% were newly diagnosed with GDM in late pregnancy. Nonetheless, there were no differences in the perinatal outcomes between women with newly diagnosed GDM and those without GDM. However, concerns over shoulder dystocia appear to increase CD rates in the GDM group.

Breast Neoplasms ; Breast ; Classification ; Genome ; Methylation ; Multivariate Analysis ; Mutation Rate ; Phenobarbital ; Prognosis ; ras Proteins ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Febrile seizure (FS) is a unique type of seizure that only occurs during childhood. Genelized epilepsy with febrile seizure plus (GEFS+) is a familial epilepsy syndrome associated with FS and afebrile seizure (AFS). Both seizure types are related to fever, but whether genetic susceptibility to inflammation is implicated in them is still unclear. To analyze the associations between postictal serum cytokine levels and genetic variants in the cytokine genes interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) in FS and GEFS+. METHODS: Genotyping was performed in 208 subjects (57 patients with FS, 43 patients with GEFS+, and 108 controls) with the SNaPshot assay for IL-1β-31 (rs1143627), IL-1β-511 (rs16944), IL-6-572 (rs1800796), and HMGB1 3814 (rs2249825). Serum IL-1β, IL-6, and HMGB1 levels were analyzed within 2 hours after seizure attacks using the ELISA in only 68 patients (38 FS, 10 GEFS+, and 20 controls). The allele distribution, genotype distribution, and correlations with serum cytokine levels were analyzed. RESULTS: Near-complete linkage disequilibrium exists between IL-1β-31 and IL-1β-511 variants. CT genotypes of these variants were associated with significantly higher postictal serum IL-1β levels than were CC+TT genotypes in FS (both p<0.05). CT genotypes of IL-1β-31 and IL-1β-511 variants were more strongly associated with FS than were CC+TT genotypes (odds ratio=1.691 and 1.731, respectively). For GEFS+, serum IL-1β levels after AFS for CT genotypes of IL-1β-31 and IL-1β-511 were also higher than for CC+TT genotypes. No significant associations were found for IL-6 and HMGB1. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic variants located in IL-1β-31 and IL-1β-511 promotor regions are correlated with higher postictal IL-1β levels in FS. These results suggest that IL-1 gene cluster variants in IL-1β-31 and IL-1β-511 are a host genetic factor for provoking FS in Korean children.
Alleles ; Child ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epilepsy ; Epilepsy, Generalized ; Fever ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; HMGB1 Protein ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-1 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Multigene Family ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Seizures ; Seizures, Febrile