Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) such as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells, and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-hESCs can permanently self-renew while maintaining their capacity to differentiate into any type of somatic cells, thereby serving as an important cell source for cell therapy. However, there are persistent challenges in the application of hPSCs in clinical trials, where one of the most significant is graft rejection by the patient immune system in response to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch when transplants are obtained from an allogeneic (non-self) cell source. Homozygous SCNT-hESCs (homo-SCNT-hESCs) were used to simplify the clinical application and to reduce HLA mismatch. Here, we present a xeno-free protocol that confirms the efficient generation of neural precursor cells in hPSCs and also the differentiation of dopaminergic neurons. Additionally, there was no difference when comparing the HLA expression patterns of hESC, homo-SCNT-hESCs and hetero-SCNT-hESCs. We propose that there are no differences in the differentiation capacity and HLA expression among hPSCs that can be cultured in vitro. Thus, it is expected that homo-SCNT-hESCs will possess a wider range of applications when transplanted with neural precursor cells in the context of clinical trials.

Purpose: To compare the structural features of the optic nerve head (ONH) in moderate glaucoma patients with single-hemispheric and bi-hemispheric visual field (VF) defects. Methods: Patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and a VF mean deviation between -6 and -12 dB were retrospectively enrolled. Based on VF defect patterns, eyes were classified into two groups: those with single-hemispheric VF defects and those with bi-hemispheric VF defects. Structural features analyzed included Bruch’s membrane opening area, lamina cribrosa (LC) thickness, temporal β-zone parapapillary atrophy with and without Bruch's membrane (βPPA+BM, βPPA-BM, respectively), and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Results: Out of 137 eyes from 124 patients, 80 eyes had single-hemispheric VF defects and 57 eyes had bi-hemispheric VF defects. The bi-hemispheric group exhibited longer axial length (p = 0.038), thinner central corneal thickness (p = 0.003), thinner LC (p < 0.001), and larger temporal βPPA+BM (p = 0.002) compared to the single-hemispheric group. Conclusions Among Korean OAG patients with moderate VF defects, those with bi-hemispheric VF defects showed more structurally vulnerable optic discs characterized by longer axial lengths, thinner central corneal thickness, thinner LC, and larger β PPA+BM compared to those with single-hemispheric VF defects. These findings underline the importance of evaluating ONH structures in monitoring glaucoma progression particularly in patients with extensive VF damage.

Background: Hand hygiene is considered the simplest and most cost-effective method of infection prevention. Regular observation and feedback on hand hygiene compliance are key strategies for its enhancement. This study evaluated the effectiveness of hand hygiene surveillance, including direct observation and feedback, by comprehensively analyzing the reported hand hygiene compliance within the Korean National Healthcare-Associated Infections Surveillance System from 2019 to 2022. Methods: Participating medical institutions included general hospitals and hospitals with infection control departments that consented to participate. Hand hygiene surveillance was conducted using direct observation. Collected data, including healthcare workers, clinical areas, hand hygiene moments, and hand hygiene compliance, were recorded to calculate hand hygiene compliance rates. Additionally, the volume of alcohol-based hand sanitizers used per patient per day was investigated as an indirect indicator of hand hygiene compliance. The study was conducted from July 2019 to December 2022. Results: Hand hygiene compliance increased from 87.2% in Q3 2019 to 89.9% in 2022. Nurses and medical technologists showed the highest compliance rates, whereas doctors showed the lowest compliance rates. Intensive care units excelled in compliance, whereas emergency de partments lagged. Compliance was highest after patient contact and lowest when the patient’s surroundings were touched. Larger hospitals consumed more alcohol-based hand sanitizers than smaller hospitals did. Conclusion This study confirmed an improvement in hand hygiene compliance through sustained surveillance, indicating its contribution not only to preventing infection transfer within healthcare facilities but also to fostering a culture of hand hygiene in the country.

Purpose: Comparison of the 6-month outcomes of ab externo XEN 45 gel stent implantation with conjunctival resection in Korean glaucoma patients. Methods: From January to May 2021, 43 open-angle glaucoma patients who underwent ab externo XEN stent insertion alone and were followed for more than 6 months were classified into incision (n = 23) and non-incision (n = 20) groups according to the presence or absence of a conjunctival incision and analyzed retrospectively. Qualified or complete success was defined as achieving the personal target intraocular pressure (IOP) with or without medication, respectively. Results: The IOP measured 6 months after surgery decreased significantly in both groups. The number of IOP-lowering drugs required was also reduced. The decrease in IOP after surgery was greater in the non-incision group. Six months after surgery, the qualified success rate was 55% in the non-incision group and 52.2% in the incision group, while the complete success rate was 40% and 8.7%, respectively. During follow-up, 58.1% of the patients underwent bleb needling more than once, and 20.9% underwent additional IOP-lowering surgery, but there was no difference between the two groups. Conclusions XEN stent insertion helped to reduce IOP and the number of IOP-lowering agents after 6 months regardless of a conjunctival incision. However, to maintain the target IOP, bleb manipulation was required in many cases.

Salmonella enterica serotype Choleraesuis causes swine paratyphoid, with clinical findings of enterocolitis and septicemia. However, the clinicopathological features of S. Choleraesuis infections in pigs have not been reported in Korea. We describe the pathological findings of two weaned pigs with S. Choleraesuis infections, presenting with diarrhea, cough, and sudden death. Pathological examination indicated severe necrotic colitis in pig 1 and septicemic lesions in pig 2. Multidrug-resistant S. Choleraesuis was isolated from the pigs’ lungs and intestinal contents. Further research is required for the surveillance of S. Choleraesuis infections in pigs and the virulence estimation in the S. Choleraesuis isolates.

To evaluate the clinical characteristics of unilateral open-angle glaucoma, patients diagnosed with unilateral open-angle glaucoma from January 2017 to October 2018 were divided into primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma groups according to the type of glaucoma diagnosed. The glaucoma and the contralateral eyes were compared, and the contralateral eye was analyzed for conversion to glaucoma and its risk factors were assessed during the 2-year follow-up period. Among 99 patients, 36 were diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma and 63 with normal-tension glaucoma. When comparing the glaucoma eye with the contralateral eye, the visual field mean deviation value (all p<0.001), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (all p<0.001), macular ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer thickness (p< 0.001, p=0.003), and optic nerve cup-disc ratio (p=0.005, p<0.001) were significantly different in both the primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma groups. In normal-tension glaucoma, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was significantly thinner in the glaucoma conversion group than in the glaucoma non-conversion group (p=0.008). It was significantly associated with glaucoma conversion (odds ratio=0.97, p=0.023). In conclusion, in patients with unilateral open-angle glaucoma, the contralateral eye may develop glaucoma. In particular, if the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness is decreased in normal-tension glaucoma, the possibility of glaucoma conversion is high; hence, careful examination is required.

To evaluate the clinical characteristics of unilateral open-angle glaucoma, patients diagnosed with unilateral open-angle glaucoma from January 2017 to October 2018 were divided into primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma groups according to the type of glaucoma diagnosed. The glaucoma and the contralateral eyes were compared, and the contralateral eye was analyzed for conversion to glaucoma and its risk factors were assessed during the 2-year follow-up period. Among 99 patients, 36 were diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma and 63 with normal-tension glaucoma. When comparing the glaucoma eye with the contralateral eye, the visual field mean deviation value (all p<0.001), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (all p<0.001), macular ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer thickness (p< 0.001, p=0.003), and optic nerve cup-disc ratio (p=0.005, p<0.001) were significantly different in both the primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma groups. In normal-tension glaucoma, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was significantly thinner in the glaucoma conversion group than in the glaucoma non-conversion group (p=0.008). It was significantly associated with glaucoma conversion (odds ratio=0.97, p=0.023). In conclusion, in patients with unilateral open-angle glaucoma, the contralateral eye may develop glaucoma. In particular, if the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness is decreased in normal-tension glaucoma, the possibility of glaucoma conversion is high; hence, careful examination is required.

BACKGROUND: Previous randomized controlled trials of revascularization for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) were not successful. We investigated the effects of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stent insertion (PTA/S) on kidney function and blood pressure (BP) control in patients with ARAS. METHODS: From 2000 to 2017, 47 subjects who underwent PTA/S for ARAS were identified. A high-risk group was defined, composed of patients having one or more of the following clinical presentations: pulmonary edema, refractory hypertension, and rapid deterioration of kidney function. Subjects who met the criteria of ‘kidney function improvement’ or ‘hypertension improvement’ after PTA/S were classified as responders. RESULTS: Twenty-one (44.7%) subjects were classified into the high-risk group. Two subjects (8.0%) in the low-risk group (n = 25) and 5 subjects (27.8%) in the high-risk group (n = 18) showed improvement in kidney function after PTA/S (P = 0.110). In patients with rapid decline of kidney function, estimated glomerular filtration rate improved from 28 (interquartile range [IQR], 10–45) mL/min/1.73 m² to 41 (IQR, 16–67) mL/min/1.73 m² at 4 months after PTA/S, although the difference was not significant (P = 0.084). Regarding BP control, 9 (36.0%) and 14 (77.8%) subjects showed improvement after PTA/S in the low- (n = 25) and high-risk (n = 18) groups, respectively (P = 0.007). In patients with refractory hypertension, the systolic BP dropped from 157 (IQR, 150–164) mmHg to 140 (IQR, 131–148) mmHg at 4 months after PTA/S (P = 0.005). Twenty-five subjects were defined as responders and comprised a significant proportion of the high-risk group (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: PTA/S might improve BP control and kidney function in patients with ARAS presenting with high-risk clinical features. The optimal application of PTA/S should be based on individual assessment of the clinical significance of renal artery stenosis.
Angioplasty ; Blood Pressure ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Kidney ; Pulmonary Edema ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; Renal Artery ; Stents

No abstract available.
B-Lymphocytes* ; Bone Marrow* ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell* ; Lymphoma, T-Cell* ; T-Lymphocytes*

PURPOSE: To characterize the development of glaucoma, age of glaucoma onset, and treatments for patients with a facial port-wine stain (PWS). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the medical records of 58 patients (116 eyes) with facial PWS between January 2000 and August 2016. We noted patients' age at the initial examination, cup-to-disc ratio, corneal diameter, occurrence of ocular hypertension, development of glaucoma, age of glaucoma onset, and treatments. We compared the clinical features of eyes that developed glaucoma with those that did not develop glaucoma. Among those eyes with glaucoma, we investigated the differences between eyes that underwent surgery and those that did not undergo surgery. RESULTS: Among the 58 patients with a facial PWS (116 eyes), glaucoma was diagnosed in 38 patients (46 eyes; 39.66%). Of these, 26 patients (27 eyes; 58.69%) underwent glaucoma surgery. PWS-associated glaucoma usually developed by the age of 2 years (85.61%). In all patients, glaucoma developed on the same side of the face as the PWS. Of the 58 patients, 19 (32.76%) showed neurological symptoms, including seizures, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, or hemiplegia, and 32 (55.17%) were diagnosed with Sturge-Weber syndrome. The mean number of glaucoma surgeries was 1.55 ± 0.93. The initial surgery included trabeculectomy (7 eyes), trabeculotomy (5 eyes), combined trabeculotomy/trabeculectomy (13 eyes), and aqueous drainage device insertion (2 eyes). The mean age at the first surgery was 35.14 ± 50.91 months. In 18 of 27 eyes (66.67%), the postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was controlled to below 21 mmHg, but 9 eyes (33.33%) showed elevated IOP and required a reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: PWS can be accompanied by ocular hypertension or glaucoma, so patients require regular ophthalmic examinations. When glaucoma occurs, it often does not respond to medication, making it difficult in some cases to control the IOP, so appropriate glaucoma surgery is necessary.
Drainage ; Glaucoma* ; Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Intraocular Pressure ; Medical Records ; Ocular Hypertension ; Port-Wine Stain* ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures ; Sturge-Weber Syndrome ; Trabeculectomy