Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) have emerged as potential regulators of macrophage function. We have investigated mechanisms of SOCS3 action on type 2 macrophage (M2) differentiation induced by glucocorticoid using human monocytic cell lines and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages. Treatment of THP1 monocytic cells with dexamethasone (Dex) induced ROS generation and M2 polarization promoting IL-10 and TGF-β production, while suppressing IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 production. SOCS3 over-expression reduced, whereas SOCS3 ablation enhanced IL-10 and TGF-β induction with concomitant regulation of ROS. As a mediator of M2 differentiation, glucocorticoidinduced leucine zipper (GILZ) was down-regulated by SOCS3 and up-regulated by shSOCS3. The induction of GILZ and IL-10 by Dex was dependent on ROS and p38 MAPK activity. Importantly, GILZ ablation led to the inhibition of ROS generation and anti-inflammatory cytokine induction by Dex. Moreover, GILZ knock-down negated the up-regulation of IL-10 production induced by shSOCS3 transduction. Our data suggest that SOCS3 targets ROS- and p38-dependent GILZ expression to suppress Dex-induced M2 polarization.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare visual acuity and reading speed for Korean language between a diffractive bifocal and trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) of the same material and haptic design. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of the patients who had undergone bilateral cataract surgery with bifocal IOLs (AT LISA 801) on the both eyes (bifocal group) and trifocal IOLs (AT LISA tri 839 MP, trifocal group). The main outcome measures were the uncorrected distance, intermediate, and near visual acuity (uncorrected distance visual acuity [UCDVA], uncorrected intermediate visual acuity [UCIVA], and uncorrected near visual acuity [UCNVA]) and corrected distance, near, and distance-corrected intermediate visual acuity (corrected distance visual acuity [CDVA], corrected near visual acuity [CNVA], and distance-corrected intermediate visual acuity [DCIVA]) at last postoperative follow-up month. Reading speeds for Korean language were measured to check near visual function. RESULTS: Fourteen eyes (7 patients) were included in the bifocal group and 32 eyes of 16 patients in the trifocal group. There were no statistical differences between the two groups with respect to UCDVA, UCNVA, CDVA, and CNVA. However, UCIVA (0.35 vs. 0.22 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR], p < 0.01) and DCIVA (0.34 vs. 0.20 logMAR, p < 0.01) were significantly better in the trifocal group than in the bifocal group. The mean reading speed for logMAR 0.5 optotype (point 10) was 86.50 words per minute (wpm) in the bifocal group and 81.48 wpm in the trifocal group without a significant difference (p = 0.70). CONCLUSIONS: Trifocal IOLs provided the same level of distance and near visual acuity and reading speed as that of bifocal IOLs with better intermediate visual acuity.
Cataract ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular* ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Medical Records ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: This study introduces a reading chart application for the iPad tablet in the Korean language and investigates the reading speed in a normal-sighted population according to age group. METHODS: Sixty-three Korean sentences were selected from textbooks for second grade elementary school students. A commonly used typeface in everyday printed material, “BatangChe,” was used. Letter size was presented in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) 0.0 to 1.0 at 0.1 logMAR steps at a reading distance of 40 cm. A third generation retina display iPad was used to present the chart, and the sentences were presented randomly for each size of letter. The subjects repeated the test silently (reading only) and out loud (reading and speaking) to prevent them from skipping reading words. Pilot testing followed in 65 normal vision adults under 60 years of age. RESULTS: The mean reading only speed for logMAR 0.5 optotype (point 10) was 121.1 ± 47.2 words per minute (wpm) for people in their 20s (n=21), 116.5 ± 38.3 in their 30s (n=27), 93.8 ± 12.6 in their 40s (n=9), and 56.5 ± 42.7 (n=8) in their 50s. There was a significant correlation between age and reading and speaking speed (r=−0.48, p<0.001). The mean reading only speed for logMAR 0.5 optotype (point 10) was 202.3 ± 88.4 wpm and the mean reading and speaking speed was 129.7 ± 25.9 wpm, with significantly different (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This Korean reading chart application could present a new standard when checking reading speed according to age groups.
Adult ; Humans ; Retina

Background: The health impacts of climate change are an issue of growing concern in the Pacific region. Prior to 2010, no formal, structured, evidence-based approach had been used to identify the most significant health risks posed by climate change in Pacific island countries. During 2010 and 2011, the World Health Organization supported the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in performing a climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessment. This paper summarizes the priority climate-sensitive health risks in FSM, with a focus on diarrheal disease, its link with climatic variables and the implications of climate change. Methods: The vulnerability and adaptation assessment process included a review of the literature, extensive stakeholder consultations, ranking of climate-sensitive health risks, and analysis of the available long-term data on climate and climate-sensitive infectious diseases in FSM, which involved examination of health information data from the four state hospitals in FSM between 2000 and 2010; along with each state’s rainfall, temperature and El Niño-Southern Oscillation data. Generalized linear Poisson regression models were used to demonstrate associations between monthly climate variables and cases of climate-sensitive diseases at differing temporal lags. Results: Infectious diseases were among the highest priority climate-sensitive health risks identified in FSM, particularly diarrheal diseases, vector-borne diseases and leptospirosis. Correlation with climate data demonstrated significant associations between monthly maximum temperature and monthly outpatient cases of diarrheal disease in Pohnpei and Kosrae at a lag of one month and 0 to 3 months, respectively; no such associations were observed in Chuuk or Yap. Significant correlations between disease incidence and El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycles were demonstrated in Kosrae state. Conclusions: Analysis of the available data demonstrated significant associations between climate variables and climate-sensitive infectious diseases. This information should prove useful in implementing health system and community adaptation strategies to avoid the most serious impacts of climate change on health in FSM.

PURPOSE: We compared the results of daily patching and alternate-day patching to treat amblyopia. METHODS: Patients with difference in the visual acuity (VA) between the eyes of at least two lines were prescribed spectacles according to the result of cycloplegic refraction. After 4 months, 45 patients with confirmed amblyopia were randomly assigned to daily patching or alternate-day patching group. Patients were patched daily in the daily patching group (n = 24), and patched every other day in another group. The patching time was 2-6 hours according to the VA of the amblyopic eye. The parents were asked to mark on a calendar whether their child performed occlusion or not. The main outcome measure was the mean VA of amblyopic eye and compliance of occlusion after 1, 3, 6 and 9 months. The success of treatment was defined if difference of VA between the eyes was less than or equal to 1 line. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, type of amblyopia, VA of the amblyopic eye and total treatment duration. VA of the amblyopic eye was significantly improved at 1 month after occlusion in both groups. At the final visit in both groups, the number of improved VA lines in the amblyopic eye (3.8 lines:3.7 lines, p = 0.754), the final success rate (50.0%:81.0%, p = 0.060) and the compliance of occlusion (94.5%:96.3%, p = 0.803) were not different significantly, but VA of the amblyopic eye (0.2 log MAR:0.1 log MAR, p = 0.042) was better in the alternate-day patching group than that in another group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the number of improved VA lines in the amblyopic eye, nor were there differences in success rate and compliance of occlusion between the two groups. The final VA was better in the alternate-day patching group than another group. Therefore, the alternate-day patching method is another possible option for the treatment of amblyopia.
Amblyopia* ; Child ; Compliance ; Eyeglasses ; Humans ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Parents ; Visual Acuity

Background: The health impacts of climate change are an issue of growing concern in the Pacific region.  Prior to 2010, no formal, structured, evidence-based approach had been used to identify the most significant health risks posed by climate change in Pacific island countries.  During 2010 and 2011, the World Health Organization supported the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in performing a climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessment.  This paper summarizes the priority climate-sensitive health risks in FSM, with a focus on diarrhoeal disease, its link with climatic variables and the implications of climate change. Methods:  The vulnerability and adaptation assessment process included a review of the literature, extensive stakeholder consultations, ranking of climate-sensitive health risks, and analysis of the available long-term data on climate and climate-sensitive infectious diseases in FSM, which involved examination of health information data from the four state hospitals in FSM between 2000 and 2010; along with each state’s rainfall, temperature and El Niño-Southern Oscillation data.  Generalized linear Poisson regression models were used to demonstrate associations between monthly climate variables and cases of climate-sensitive diseases at differing temporal lags. Results: Infectious diseases were among the highest priority climate-sensitive health risks identified in FSM, particularly diarrheal diseases, vector-borne diseases and leptospirosis.  Correlation with climate data demonstrated significant associations between monthly maximum temperature and monthly outpatient cases of diarrheal disease in Pohnpei and Kosrae at a lag of one month and 0 to 3 months, respectively; no such associations were observed in Chuuk or Yap.  Significant correlations between disease incidence and El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycles were demonstrated in Kosrae state. Conclusions:  Analysis of the available data demonstrated some significant associations between climate variables and climate-sensitive infectious diseases.   This information should prove useful in implementing health system and community adaptation strategies to avoid the most serious impacts of climate change on health in FSM.

PURPOSE: To investigate and compare the clinical courses and surgical success rates of secondary operations in recurrent exotropia according to the type of first operation for correction of exotropia. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients with recurrent exotropia of the basic or pseudodivergence excess types. In group A (36 patients), bilateral lateral rectus (LR) recession was performed as the first operation and uni- or bilateral medial rectus (MR) resection was performed as the second operation. In group B (19 patients), unilateral LR recession-MR resection (R&R) was performed as the first operation and LR recession or R&R in contralateral eye as the second operation. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups when considering age at each operation, frequency of the amblyopia, prescription of prism, time interval for recurrence and reoperation and the final and cumulative success rates. No postoperative complications were observed in either group. The mean number of used muscles for the first and second operation was 3.9 +/- 0.4 in group A, and 3.4 +/- 0.5 in group B (p = 0.001). Mean time interval for occurrence of postoperative orthophoria was 3.7 +/- 6.2 months in group A and 6.5 +/- 16.2 in group B (p = 0.047). In group B, the incidence of esodeviation tended to increase after postoperative 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: The final success rates of reoperation between the 2 types of the first operation in recurrent exotropia were similar. Mean time between postoperative overcorrection of orthophoria was shorter in the group with bilateral LR recession followed by secondary MR resection than in the other group. Unilateral R&R followed by LR recession or R&R in contralateral eye may be more helpful to decrease the number of used muscles than in the bilateral LR recession followed by secondary MR resection.
Amblyopia ; Esotropia ; Exotropia* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Muscles ; Postoperative Complications ; Prescriptions ; Recurrence ; Reoperation* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To investigate the characteristics of successfully weaning patients off of glasses and the change in hypermetropic spectacle correction required for maintaining orthotropia using an analysis of surgery results of patients with partially accommodative esotropia. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 104 patients who underwent standard surgery for correcting partially accommodative esotropia. In total, 64 patients who had follow-up periods of at least 2 years were included. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 28 patients who were asked to discontinue their hyperopic glasses (glasses-discontinued group) and 36 patients who still needed hyperopic glasses (glasses-maintained group). We investigated the age at first visit and at surgery, total angle of deviation and residual angle of deviation with correction before surgery, weaning time of hyperopic glasses, follow-up period, and the time at which the hyperopic glasses were discontinued in the glasses-discontinued group. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the age at first visit and at surgery as well as the duration of postoperative follow-up between both groups. The total esodeviated angle without hyperopic correction of the glasses-discontinued group was significantly lower than that of glasses-maintained group (37.4PD:46.7PD, p < 0.05); there were no significant differences in the remaining esotropic angle after hyperopic correction. The average hyperopic degree in the glasses-discontinued group was significantly lower than that in the glasses-maintained group (+3.0D:+4.7D, p < 0.05), there were no significant differences in the weaning time of hyperopic glasses between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The esodeviated angle without hyperopic correction was smaller and hyperopic degree was lower in the glasses-discontinued group than in the glasses-maintained group after surgery for partially accommodative esotropia. Therefore, it might be helpful to predict the postoperative possibility to discontinue glasses in the patients with partially accommodative esotropia.
Esotropia* ; Eyeglasses ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glass ; Humans ; Hyperopia ; Medical Records ; Weaning

PURPOSE: To investigate and compare the clinical courses and surgical success rates of secondary operations in recurrent exotropia according to the type of first operation for correction of exotropia. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients with recurrent exotropia of the basic or pseudodivergence excess types. In group A (36 patients), bilateral lateral rectus (LR) recession was performed as the first operation and uni- or bilateral medial rectus (MR) resection was performed as the second operation. In group B (19 patients), unilateral LR recession-MR resection (R&R) was performed as the first operation and LR recession or R&R in contralateral eye as the second operation. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups when considering age at each operation, frequency of the amblyopia, prescription of prism, time interval for recurrence and reoperation and the final and cumulative success rates. No postoperative complications were observed in either group. The mean number of used muscles for the first and second operation was 3.9 +/- 0.4 in group A, and 3.4 +/- 0.5 in group B (p = 0.001). Mean time interval for occurrence of postoperative orthophoria was 3.7 +/- 6.2 months in group A and 6.5 +/- 16.2 in group B (p = 0.047). In group B, the incidence of esodeviation tended to increase after postoperative 1 month. CONCLUSIONS: The final success rates of reoperation between the 2 types of the first operation in recurrent exotropia were similar. Mean time between postoperative overcorrection of orthophoria was shorter in the group with bilateral LR recession followed by secondary MR resection than in the other group. Unilateral R&R followed by LR recession or R&R in contralateral eye may be more helpful to decrease the number of used muscles than in the bilateral LR recession followed by secondary MR resection.
Amblyopia ; Esotropia ; Exotropia* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Muscles ; Postoperative Complications ; Prescriptions ; Recurrence ; Reoperation* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To investigate the characteristics of successfully weaning patients off of glasses and the change in hypermetropic spectacle correction required for maintaining orthotropia using an analysis of surgery results of patients with partially accommodative esotropia. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 104 patients who underwent standard surgery for correcting partially accommodative esotropia. In total, 64 patients who had follow-up periods of at least 2 years were included. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 28 patients who were asked to discontinue their hyperopic glasses (glasses-discontinued group) and 36 patients who still needed hyperopic glasses (glasses-maintained group). We investigated the age at first visit and at surgery, total angle of deviation and residual angle of deviation with correction before surgery, weaning time of hyperopic glasses, follow-up period, and the time at which the hyperopic glasses were discontinued in the glasses-discontinued group. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the age at first visit and at surgery as well as the duration of postoperative follow-up between both groups. The total esodeviated angle without hyperopic correction of the glasses-discontinued group was significantly lower than that of glasses-maintained group (37.4PD:46.7PD, p < 0.05); there were no significant differences in the remaining esotropic angle after hyperopic correction. The average hyperopic degree in the glasses-discontinued group was significantly lower than that in the glasses-maintained group (+3.0D:+4.7D, p < 0.05), there were no significant differences in the weaning time of hyperopic glasses between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The esodeviated angle without hyperopic correction was smaller and hyperopic degree was lower in the glasses-discontinued group than in the glasses-maintained group after surgery for partially accommodative esotropia. Therefore, it might be helpful to predict the postoperative possibility to discontinue glasses in the patients with partially accommodative esotropia.
Esotropia* ; Eyeglasses ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glass ; Humans ; Hyperopia ; Medical Records ; Weaning