Objective: : We performed an expanded multi-ethnic meta-analysis to identify associations between inflammation-related loci with intracranial aneurysm (IA) susceptibility. This meta-analysis possesses increased statistical power as it is based on the most data ever evaluated. Methods: : We searched and reviewed relevant literature through electronic search engines up to August 2022. Overall estimates were calculated under the fixed- or random-effect models using pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were performed according to ethnicity. Results: : Our meta-analysis enrolled 15 studies and involved 3070 patients and 5528 controls including European, Asian, Hispanic, and mixed ethnic populations. Of 17 inflammation-related variants, the rs1800796 locus (interleukin [IL]-6) showed the most significant genome-wide association with IA in East-Asian populations, including 1276 IA patients and 1322 controls (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.56–0.75; p=3.24×10-9) under a fixed-effect model. However, this association was not observed in the European population (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.80–1.47; p=0.5929). Three other variants, rs16944 (IL-1β), rs2195940 (IL-12B), and rs1800629 (tumor necrosis factor-α) showed a statistically nominal association with IA in both the overall, as well as East-Asian populations (0.01Conclusion : Our updated meta-analysis with increased statistical power highlights that rs1800796 which maps on the IL-6 gene is associated with IA, and in particular confers a protective effect against occurrence of IA in the East-Asian population.

We report a case of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis after intravitreal bevacizumab injection. A 61-year-old woman with diabetic macular edema developed dense vitritis and necrotizing retinitis 3 weeks after intravitreal bevacizumab injection. A diagnostic vitrectomy was performed. The undiluted vitreous sample acquired by vitrectomy was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and culture. Polymerase chain reaction of the vitreous was positive for CMV DNA. Other laboratory results did not show evidence of other infectious retinitis and systemic immune dysfunction. Human immunodeficiency virus antibodies were also negative. After systemic administration of ganciclovir, retinitis has resolved and there has been no recurrence of retinitis during the follow-up period of 12 months. Ophthalmologists should be aware of potential risk for CMV retinitis after intravitreal bevacizumab injection.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors/administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/administration & dosage/*adverse effects ; Cytomegalovirus/genetics ; Cytomegalovirus Retinitis/diagnosis/*etiology/immunology ; DNA, Viral/analysis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Immunocompetence/*drug effects ; Intravitreal Injections ; Macular Edema/diagnosis/*drug therapy ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVE: Transpedicular screw fixation has some disadvantages such as postoperative back pain through wide muscle dissection, long operative time, and cephalad adjacent segmental degeneration (ASD). The purposes of this study are investigation and comparison of radiological and clinical results between interspinous fusion device (IFD) and pedicle screw. METHODS: From Jan. 2008 to Aug. 2009, 40 patients underwent spinal fusion with IFD combined with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). In same study period, 36 patients underwent spinal fusion with pedicle screw fixation as control group. Dynamic lateral radiographs, visual analogue scale (VAS), and Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (K-ODI) scores were evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: The lumbar spine diseases in the IFD group were as followings; spinal stenosis in 26, degenerative spondylolisthesis in 12, and intervertebral disc herniation in 2. The mean follow up period was 14.24 months (range; 12 to 22 months) in the IFD group and 18.3 months (range; 12 to 28 months) in pedicle screw group. The mean VAS scores was preoperatively 7.16+/-2.1 and 8.03+/-2.3 in the IFD and pedicle screw groups, respectively, and improved postoperatively to 1.3+/-2.9 and 1.2+/-3.2 in 1-year follow ups (p<0.05). The K-ODI was decreased significantly in an equal amount in both groups one year postoperatively (p<0.05). The statistics revealed a higher incidence of ASD in pedicle screw group than the IFD group (p=0.029). CONCLUSION: Posterior IFD has several advantages over the pedicle screw fixation in terms of skin incision, muscle dissection and short operative time and less intraoperative estimated blood loss. The IFD with PLIF may be a favorable technique to replace the pedicle screw fixation in selective case.
Back Pain ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intervertebral Disc ; Muscles ; Operative Time ; Skin ; Spinal Fusion ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine ; Spondylolisthesis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute gastric injury by alcohol or indomethacin has been reported to be prevented by DA-9601, an extract of the herb Artemisia asiatica. Ghrelin, an endogenously produced gastrointestinal peptide hormone, has also been demonstrated to play a role in gastric mucosal defense. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of DA-9601 on ghrelin in an acute gastric injury model induced by alcohol or indomethacin. METHODS: A total of 140 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups, a placebo group and a DA-9601-pretreated group. Thirty minutes later, half of the rats in each group received ethanol injury and the other half received indomethacin injury. Levels of serum ghrelin and gastric mucosal ghrelin mRNA were measured by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: Immediately after ethanol administration, ghrelin increased in both groups pretreated with DA-9601 and placebo. However, the increase occurred more rapidly and was higher in the DA-9601-pretreated rats than in the controls that did not receive DA-9601-pretreatment. Similarly, from 30 minutes to 2 hours after indomethacin administration, the DA-9601-pretreated rats showed a significant increase in serum and gastric mucosal ghrelin concentrations, whereas placebo-pretreated rats showed only a mild increase. CONCLUSIONS: DA-9601 potentiates the endogenous production and secretion of ghrelin in acute gastric injury models induced by ethanol or indomethacin.
Animals ; Artemisia ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Ethanol ; Ghrelin ; Indomethacin ; Plant Extracts ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA, Messenger

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and clinical features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korea. METHODS: Web-based (www.armd-nova.or.kr) registration was conducted for AMD patients aged 50 or more who were newly diagnosed by retinal specialists in Korea from August 20, 2005 to August 20, 2006. Patient data including ophthalmologic examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiogram and/or indocyanin green angiogram (ICG), past medical history, behavioral habit, combined systemic diseases were up-loaded. RESULTS: Among finally enrolled 1,141 newly diagnosed AMD patients, 690 patients (60.5%) were male and 451 patients (39.5%) were female. The average age of AMD patients was 69.7+/-8.0. Early AMD was observed in 190 patients and 951 patients had late AMD. Classic choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) was observed in 18.6% of exudative AMD patients and 63.4 % had occult CNVM. Subfoveal CNVM was observed in 80.4% of the patients with CNVM. Among the 580 exudative AMD eyes that performed indocyanin green angiography (ICG), 184 eyes (31.7%) had polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and 36 eyes (6.2%) showed retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Age, male gender, smoking, diabetes and hypertension significantly increased the risk of the AMD among Koreans. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the low rate of participation by retinal specialists, definite incidence of AMD was not obtainable. However, the estimated 1-year AMD incidence in the Pusan area of Korea is at least 0.4%. In contrast to Western people, 31.7% of exudative AMD cases were revealed to be PCV and 6.2% were revealed to be RAP. This discrepancy between ethnic groups should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment modality selection of Korean AMD patients.
Aged ; Angiography ; Choroid ; Ethnic Groups ; Eye ; Female ; Fluorescein ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Macular Degeneration ; Male ; Membranes ; Photography ; Retinaldehyde ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Specialization

Primary central nervous system (CNS) sarcomas are exceedingly rare, and, to the best of our knowledge, there has not yet been a report of intramedullary sarcoma. Here, we report a primary intradural intramedullary sarcoma of the spinal cord in a four-year-old boy who presented with low back pain and a radiculopathy involving both lower extremities. The tumor showed significant enhancement on magnetic resonance (MR) images due to its extreme vascularity. Gross total tumor removal was performed with microelectrical pulse recording, and the patient also received adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. After the operation, the patient's sensory deficits were improved. Because CNS dissemination is common, entire neuraxis evaluation is essential, although there was no evidence of dissemination in this case. The prognosis of primary CNS sarcoma is poor due to infiltrative nature and early CNS dissemination is common, and the treatment of choice is radical surgical resection. Adjuvant therapy is also beneficial with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Central Nervous System ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Lower Extremity ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Prognosis ; Radiculopathy ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Sarcoma ; Spinal Cord

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical effect and complications of patterned scanning laser photocoagulation with short exposure time in diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: A prospective study was performed on patients with diabetic retinopathy who required panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). Twenty-nine eyes of twenty five consecutive patients underwent patterned scanning laser photocoagulation with exposure time of 0.02 sec over the entire retina. Pain score at treatment, best-corrected visual acuity, the development of macular edema, regression of neovascularization in fluorescein angiography, and related complications were monitored during a three-month follow-up. RESULTS: Treatment time for PRP was much reduced to 6.1 min on the entire retina. Pain during the photocoagulation was moderate, and enabled patients to finish PRP with ease. During a three-month follow-up, visual acuity was well preserved. Foveal minimum thickness increased at 1 month after treatment and maintained in a study period of three months. Macular volume showed significant increase (3.6%) at 1 month after treatment, maximum increase (9.8%) at 2 months, and persistent increase (4.9%) at 3 months. In every patient with very severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, retina was maintained, and in 10 of 18 eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, neovascularization regressed during follow-up period. No significant complication occurred except a transient vitreous hemorrhage in one eye. CONCLUSIONS: Patterned scanning laser photocoagulation with short exposure time may induce transient macular edema, but the visual acuity was preserved without any other significant complication. It is considered to be a safe and efficient treatment method in diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic Retinopathy ; Eye ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Light Coagulation ; Macular Edema ; Prospective Studies ; Retina ; Visual Acuity ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: To prospectively investigate the change of clinical manifestations after 1 year of administration of anthocyanoside (Tagen-F(R)) to patients with NPDR-associated macular edema. METHODS: One hundred seventy-five eyes in 88 patients were enrolled in this study, at 5 centers, from March, 2005 to October, 2005. Patients took 3 capsules of Vaccinium myrtillus extract (170 mg/capsule, Tagen-F(R), Kukje pharmaceutical) per day. The primary endpoints were corrected visual acuity and contrast sensitivity which were checked at 2 months following the beginning of treatment [East 1]. The secondary endpoints were the number of hard exudates, microaneurysms, leaking points and the changes of foveal thickness. These were examined at the beginning of, 6 months after, and 12 months after treatment. RESULTS: Corrected visual acuity showed no significant changes during 12 months. Contrast sensitivity improved gradually, especially in 12, 16 cycles per degree [East 2]. There was no statistically significant changes in the numbers of hard exudates, microaneurysms, and leaking points. Foveal thickness measured by OCT was maintained and there was no aggravation of macular edema. CONCLUSIONS: There was marked improvement of contrast sensitivity in patients with NPDR after 1 year of administration of anthocyanoside (Tagen-F(R)), and it might contribute to the quality of vision and the satisfaction of patients. Visual acuity and macular edema were maintained without aggravation.
Anthocyanins ; Capsules ; Contrast Sensitivity ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Exudates and Transudates ; Eye ; Humans ; Macular Edema ; Prospective Studies ; Vaccinium myrtillus ; Vision, Ocular ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical features of Korean patients with sarcoid uveitis. METHODS: The medical records of patients with endogenous uveitis who were recruited from the uveitis clinic at Seoul National University Hospital were reviewed. Sex, age at presentation, ocular symptoms and signs, treatment, complications, and the rate of recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 440 patients with endogenous uveitis, 31 (7.1%) with sarcoidosis were included. The mean age at onset was 54.5 years. Sarcoidosis patients with uveitis tended to be older than those without uveitis (44.1 years). Uveitis was the primary manifestation of sarcoidosis in 16 of 31 patients (51.6%). Anterior uveitis was the most common in terms of the anatomic location of inflammation (54.8%), and posterior involvement (38.7%) was not rare. Systemic corticosteroid therapy was administered to 28 patients (90.3%). Five patients (16.1%) received corticosteroids combined with immunosuppressive agents. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcoid uveitis is not a rare etiology of endogenous uveitis. Topical or systemic corticosteroids could control inflammation in most cases, but immunosuppressive agents are needed in a small percentage of patients. Steroids combined with immunosuppressive agents can prevent severe visual losses in such patients.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Inflammation ; Medical Records ; Recurrence ; Sarcoidosis ; Steroids ; Uveitis ; Uveitis, Anterior

PURPOSE: To evaluate the expression of chemokine and chemokine receptors in the aqueous humor (AH) of patients with recurrent anterior uveitis (AU) in terms of HLA-B-27-association. METHODS: Patients with endogenous uveitis were recruited from the uveitis clinic at Seoul National University Hospital. AH and peripheral blood (PB) were obtained from each patient. The expression of chemokine receptors in T-cells from AH and PB was measured using flow cytometric analysis. Interleukin (IL)-8, interferon-gammainducible protein (IP)-10, and regulated-on-expression, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) levels of PB and AH were measured. The expression of chemokine receptor and chemokine levels in PB and AH were compared between HLA-B27-associated AU and idiopathic AU patients. RESULTS: Seventeen patients with HLA-B27-associated AU, 14 patients with idiopathic AU and 5 healthy controls were included in this study. IL-8 and IP-10 levels of AH were shown to be increased more than in PB, and intraocular concentrations of IL-8 and IP-10 were higher in patients with HLA-B27-associated AU than in idiopathic AU patients. RANTES levels in AH were significantly lower than in PB for all groups. In all groups, the expression of chemokine receptor in AH increased more than in PB. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study show chemokine may play an important role in inflammation in patients with AU. This implies that the chemokine environment may be different in terms of HLA-B-27-association.
Aqueous Humor ; Chemokine CCL5 ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-8 ; Interleukins ; Receptors, Chemokine ; T-Lymphocytes ; Uveitis ; Uveitis, Anterior