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Purpose: To investigate the long-term outcomes of anterior chamber angle parameters in patients with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) after peripheral laser iridotomy (LI) combined with iridoplasty (PI) using a dual Scheimpflug analyzer.Methods: This retrospective study included 32 eyes in 32 patients diagnosed with PACG who underwent LI plus PI. Patients with an acute angle closure crisis were excluded. Dual Scheimpflug analyzer images were acquired before and 1 week after LI plus PI, and yearly afterwards. Anterior chamber depth (ACD) and volume (ACV), mean anterior chamber angle (ACA), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were also measured.Results: The mean follow-up was 32.28 ± 13.34 months. Baseline demographics were age 63 ± 7.9 years, 62.5% female, IOP 15.48 ± 4.79 mmHg, ACD 2.09 ± 0.19 mm, and visual field mean deviation -7.97 ± 8.49 dB. ACD increased from baseline to 2.15 ± 0.32 mm, but it was not significant (p = 0.136). ACV increased significantly from 78.32 ± 11.49 mm at baseline to 83.04 ± 11.16 mm at the last visit after LI (p = 0.011). The mean ACA increased significantly from 26.86 ± 2.53° at baseline to 28.82 ± 4.64° at the last visit (p = 0.022). IOP decreased significantly from baseline to 13.06 ± 2.21 mmHg at the last visit (p = 0.001).Conclusions: The ACA parameters improved after LI combined with PI in patients with PACG and remained so on long-term follow-up. IOP was also significantly reduced for more than 2.5 years after LI plus PI.

Listeria monocytogenes is a rare cause of bacterial meningitis, particularly beyond the neonatal period. This article describes a 16-month-old girl who presented with a new-onset febrile status epilepticus, and subsequently developed altered mentality and lethargy. L. monocytogenes was detected on a point-of-care, multiplex polymerase chain reaction using the cerebrospinal fluid. On day 3, she developed a rapidly progressive hydrocephalus. Her consciousness improved after placement of an external ventricular drain. After 3-week antibiotic therapy, she was successfully discharged without residual complications.

Because of their short harvest season, large quantities of persimmons must often be processed within a limited time. Therefore, new methods to extend their storage life are required. This study examined the effects of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas fumigation for various treatment periods on the storage quality of astringent persimmons Cheongdobansi under low-temperature conditions. The conditions consisted of continuous treatment with ClO2, treatment for 2 weeks with ClO2, and no treatment, all of which are stored at low temperatures. Control samples (storage 0 days) without any treatment were prepared and all experiments were conducted for 10 weeks at two-week intervals. The ClO2 gas treatment maintained the moisture content, color value, hardness, soluble tannin content, and sensory characteristics. However, ClO2 gas treatment did not affect the soluble solids, pH, and total sugar content. In particular, continuous treatment with ClO2 maintained the storage quality after 6-8 weeks of storage, particularly the hardness and weakness (sensory evaluation). The results suggest the potential of continuous treatment with ClO2 as a highly effective method for maintaining the freshness of Cheongdobansi.

Background: This study aims to develop a well-founded program for the elderly in the community to provide a guide to continuous practice and to be used as basic data for its spread in the community.Methods: Among the elderly aged 60 or older living in Seongdong-gu, a total of 130 people agreed to participate in the study and met the criteria for selecting subjects, and 86 were the final subjects. The effects on cognitive function, depression, daily life activities, and quality of life before and after participating in the program were investigated and evaluated. Cognitive Impairment Screening Test, Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire, Short form of Geriatric Depression Scale-Korean version, Korean version of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and EuroQol-5 dimension were used as test tools. After the pre-test, they participated in the program twice a week for 14 50 minutes sessions, and the average score of the posttest was compared.Results: It was found that cognitive function improved and depression significantly decreased regardless of age after participating in the program than before participating in the program. There was a difference in cognitive function improvement according to the level of education, but depression was found to decrease equally, and health-related quality of life improved.Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that senior citizens aged60 or older continue to practice the 'Connect Memories' program to improve cognitivefunction.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting the stress perception of residents in Gyeongsangnam-do in COVID-19 using the original data of the Community Health Survey by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and to suggest effective stress perception management strategies based on this. Methods: Data of 229,270 original data from the Community Health Survey of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2020 during the COVID-19 epidemic period were collected. Frequency analysis and cross-analysis were conducted using SPSS Statistics 27 to identify the factors affecting the stress perception of residents in Gyeongsangnam-do in COVID-19, and a step-by-step selection method of logistic regression analysis was conducted to establish a stress perception management strategy. Results: As a result of this study, women in gender 1.80 (95% confidence interval, CI=1.21-2.67), age 19-44 years 7.68 (95% CI=2.36-25.00) and 45-64 years old (95% CI=1.46-4.21) and occupational administrative 4.50 (95% CI=1.89-10.70), Less than 1 million won in monthly household income is 4.66 (95% CI=1.95-11.15) and 100-3 million won is 2.31 (95% CI=1.00-5.31), residence, Jinhae-si 1.42 (95% CI=0.44-4.62), Sacheon-si 1.73 (95% CI=0.61-4.89), Gimhae-si 2.04 (95% CI=0.68-6.11), Masan-si 1.36 (95% CI=0.41-4.54), Jinju-si 2.26 (95% CI=0.77-6.65), Changwon-si 1.19 (95% CI=0.40-3.52), Currently, smoking oil was 2.02 (95% CI=1.17-3.47) in the presence or absence of smoking. Conclusions: Based on these results, in order to manage short-term stress awareness in Gyeongsangnam-do during the COVID-19 era, it is necessary to strategically implement stress management projects for women with monthly household income of less than 1 million won and 100-3 million won among residents in Jinhae, Sacheon, Gimhae, and Changwon.

To investigate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients.This single-center, retrospective, case-control study included 738 consecutive patients who underwent chest CT more than 3 months after HSCT. We identified patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for PPFE and assessed their clinical characteristics and radiologic findings. Propensity score-matched analysis was performed using four covariates (age, sex, HSCT type, and primary disease). The risk factors and clinical outcomes of PPFE were analyzed using the Fine and Gray regression model and stratified log-rank test in the matched groups.PPFE was identified in 4% (31/738, 8.3 ± 3.1 years, 15 males) of the pediatric HSCT recipients with a median time of 2.7 years after HSCT, and it occurred following allogeneic (5%, 15/317), autologous (4%, 15/379), or both (2%, 1/42). Matching yielded 30 and 130 cases in the PPFE and control groups, respectively. The PPFE group showed more frequent late-onset noninfectious pulmonary complications (LONIPCs) and pneumonia more than 3 months after HSCT (p0.05). Multivariable analysis showed a significantly higher risk of PPFE in HSCT recipients who had pneumonia more than 3 months after HSCT (hazard ratio = 10.78 [95% confidence interval: 4.29, 27.13], p0.001). The PPFE group showed higher mortality (73%, 22/30) and poorer median overall survival (6.8 years [95% confidence interval: 4.1, 9.5]) than the control group (p0.001).PPFE represents a severe type of LONIPC after HSCT. HSCT recipients with pneumonia after HSCT may have an increased risk of PPFE.• The incidence of pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis is not negligible (4%), and it can occur after either allogeneic or autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. • Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation showed poor outcome with a high mortality rate of 73% and median overall survival of 6.8 years. • After hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, pneumonia may increase the risk of pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis development in children. • Lung biopsy should not be indicated in patients with pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis findings on chest CT as it can cause refractory pneumothorax without helping the diagnosis.

Purpose: We report an unusual trichoblastoma of the lower eyelid.Case summary: A 74-year-old male presented with an asymptomatic 0.6 × 0.4-cm left lower eyelid tumor that had developed 3 years prior. On histological examination, a 0.3 × 0.3-cm intradermal tumor that was not connected to the epidermis was observed. The tumor was multilobular, and was surrounded by fibrous stroma and connective tissue. The tumor lobules consisted of basaloid cells, and a few keratinizing cysts were evident. These features are consistent with a trichoblastoma. We observed no recurrence at 1 year after complete resection.Conclusions: Trichoblastoma (a rare, benign skin tumor) is histologically similar to basal cell carcinoma but the prognosis is excellent after complete resection. Trichoblastoma should be considered during the differential diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma of the eyelids.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an unprecedented increase in the level of political blame attributed to China for the health crisis and other associated xenophobic discourses. Although previous research has revealed the effects of perceived outgroup threats on popular support for policies that control outgroups, threats posed by foreign countries have received little empirical attention. This study advances previous research by focusing on the independent effects of the perceived China threat to public support for restrictive immigration control during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a sample drawn from the 2020 American National Election Studies, the results showed that the perceived China threat substantially heightened public support for restrictive immigration control. More importantly, demand for restrictive immigration control intensified when individuals had stronger perceptions of threats and conspiracy beliefs about the virus leak from a Chinese lab. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the roles of politically constructed threats and conspiracy beliefs during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing new mechanisms of popular attitudes toward social control.

Intensive mothering ideology emphasizes mothers’ sacrifice for their children. Despite the increase in women’s social and economic participation, mothers continue to experience conflicts between career and family obligations due to the conventional idea of “good mothers.” Do all mothers prioritize their children’s needs? This study focuses on whether mothers are willing to sacrifice their happiness and whether such beliefs change over time. We explore the factors contributing to mothers’ intention to sacrifice and its change from two theoretical perspectives, rational choice model and linked lives perspective. Using the first three waves of the Panel Study on Korean Children, the findings show that almost half of all mothers are not willing to sacrifice their own happiness for their children at each wave. Both rational choice and linked lives perspectives contribute to explaining mothers’ view of sacrifice in the baseline year. The change in mothers’ view on sacrifice over time is significantly influenced by a subset of variables including their spouse’s positions on sacrifice and social exchange experience with their children (the linked lives perspective), and the emotional values that mothers place on babies (the rational choice model).

Membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava (MOVC) is a rare subset of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) with a subacute onset that is often complicated by cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here we report a case of recurrent HCC in a patient with cirrhosis and BCS that was treated with several episodes of transarterial chemoembolization followed by surgical tumorectomy, whereas the MOVC was successfully treated with balloon angioplasty followed by endovascular stenting. The patient was followed up for 9.9 years without anticoagulation and experienced no stent thrombosis. After the tumorectomy, the patient was HCC-free for 4.4 years of follow-up.

Background In aged skin, reactive oxygen species (ROS) induces degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), leading to visible aging signs. Collagens in the ECM are cleaved by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Syringaresinol (SYR), isolated from Panax ginseng berry, has various physiological activities, including anti-inflammatory action. However, the anti-aging effects of SYR via antioxidant and autophagy regulation have not been elucidated. Methods The preventive effect of SYR on skin aging was investigated in human HaCaT keratinocytes in the presence of H2O2, and the keratinocyte cells were treated with SYR (0–200 μg/mL). mRNA and protein levels of MMP-2 and -9 were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Radical scavenging activity was researched by 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays. LC3B level was assessed by Western blotting and confocal microscopy. Results SYR significantly reduced gene expression and protein levels of MMP-9 and -2 in both H2O2-treated and untreated HaCaT cells. SYR did not show cytotoxicity to HaCaT cells. SYR exhibited DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities with an EC50 value of 10.77 and 10.35 μg/mL, respectively. SYR elevated total levels of endogenous and exogenous LC3B in H2O2-stimulated HaCaT cells. 3-Methyladenine (3-MA), an autophagy inhibitor, counteracted the inhibitory effect of SYR on MMP-2 expression. Conclusion SYR showed antioxidant activity and up-regulated autophagy activity in H2O2-stimulated HaCaT cells, lowering the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 associated with skin aging. Our results suggest that SYR has potential value as a cosmetic additive for prevention of skin aging.

Aceruloplasminemia (ACP) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the triad of diabetes mellitus, retinal degeneration, and neurological symptoms. The patient’s clinical and biochemical features highlight substantial phenotype heterogeneity, contributing to the difficulties and delay in diagnosing ACP. We described a patient presenting with diabetes and abnormal iron studies due to ACP with typical neuroradiologic abnormality. A 56-year-old female patient visited our hospital with complaints of weight loss and anxiety. The leading cause of unintentional weight loss was uncontrolled diabetes. She was treated with oral hypoglycemic agents. Initial blood tests revealed unexplained microcytic anemia and high ferritin levels. We performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain to alleviate her excessive concerns about normal memory loss. We suspected that she might have ACP, based on the results of cortical pencil lining sign of the brain MRI and microcytic anemia with decreased ceruloplasmin (CP) and increased ferritin levels. Sequence analysis of the CP gene revealed homozygosity for c.2630 G>A, confirming the clinical diagnosis of ACP. The patient was started on deferasirox with progressive normalization of ferritin. In conclusion, unexplained anemia, often with microcytosis, diabetes, and typical neuroradiologic findings, is the best clue for early diagnosis of ACP.

Defatted Camellia japonica L. seed cake is an important byproduct during the manufacture of Camellia seed oil. The present study evaluated the influence of two extraction solvents on the total contents of phenol and flavonoid, antioxidant activity and skin-whitening effect capable of inhibiting the biosynthesis of melanin of defatted Camellia seed cakes, a byproduct from Camellia oil production. The antioxidant capacities of 100% methanol and 70% ethanol extracts were analysed using radical scavenging (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, O2-, H2O2 and NOž), SOD-like, ferrous ion chelating and reducing power assays. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were further determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Moreover, intracellular antityrosinase activity and melanin contents were evaluated in human malignant melanoma cells (SK mel-100). Ethanol extracts of defatted Camellia seed cake extracts exhibited higher phenolic (4097 mg gallic acid equivalents/100 g) and flavonoid (2899 mg rutin equivalents/100 g) contents with higher superoxide (IC50 = 1.9 mg/mL), nitric oxide (IC50 =1.6 mg/mL) radical scavenging, ferrous ion chelating (IC50 = 2.9 mg/mL) and reducing power (IC50 = 1.8 mg/mL) activities than those of methanol. These ethanol extracts also evidenced more effective inhibitory activities of tyrosinase and melanin synthesis than methanol extracts. Therefore, the present results demonstrated that defatted Camellia seed cakes could be a valuable source of antioxidative and whitening ingredients, and ethanol was more efficient in extracting antioxidants and bioactive compounds than methanol.

Optimal preparation is recommended for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease to minimize complications during dialysis initiation. This study evaluated the effects of planned dialysis initiation on survival in patients undergoing incident hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Patients newly diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease who started dialysis were enrolled in a multicenter prospective cohort study in Korea. Planned dialysis was defined as dialysis therapy initiated with permanent access and maintenance of the initial dialysis modality. A total of 2892 patients were followed up for a mean duration of 71.9 ± 36.7 months and 1280 (44.3%) patients initiated planned dialysis. The planned dialysis group showed lower mortality than the unplanned dialysis group during the 1st and 2nd years after dialysis initiation (1st year: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37–0.72; P P = 0.037). However, 2 years after dialysis initiation, mortality did not differ between the groups. Planned dialysis showed a better early survival rate in hemodialysis patients, but not in peritoneal dialysis patients. Particularly, infection-related mortality was reduced only in patients undergoing hemodialysis with planned dialysis initiation. Planned dialysis has survival benefits over unplanned dialysis in the first 2 years after dialysis initiation, especially in patients undergoing hemodialysis. It improved infection-related mortality during the early dialysis period.

Oncogenic EGFR is essential for the development and growth of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the precise roles of EGFR in lung cancer metabolism remain unclear. Here, we show that EGFR mutation-mediated enhancement of glycolysis is critical for EGFR stability. EGFR knockdown significantly decreased levels of glycolytic pathway intermediates via transcriptional regulation of glycolytic genes. EGFR mutation-enhanced glycolysis was required for fueling the tricarboxylic acid cycle, a critical component of EGFR stability. Nonsustained ATP production enhanced reactive oxygen species accumulation and subsequent JNK-mediated activation of autophagy, which in turn induced EGFR degradation. Our data show that EGFR-mutant NSCLCs require EGFR mutation-enhanced glycolysis to maintain EGFR stability. This pathway may serve as an attractive therapeutic target for EGFR-mutant NSCLCs.Significance: Enhanced glycolysis by EGFR mutation is required for maintaining EGFR levels via inhibition of JNK-induced autophagy. This provides a promising rationale for use of JNK activators in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Cancer Res; 78(16); 4482–96. ©2018 AACR.

Supplementary information contains 8 supplementary figures. Supplementary Figure 1. EGFR knockdown decreases glycolytic gene expression at the transcription level. Supplementary Figure 2. Glucose deprivation renders EGFR-mutant NSCLCs more sensitive to cell growth and death. Supplementary Figure 3. EGFR-mediated enhanced glycolysis is an important TCA cycle fuel source. Supplementary Figure 4. Mitochondrial ATP production is necessary for EGFR stability. Supplementary Figure 5. Anisomycin treatment inhibits the EGFR signaling pathway and activates apoptosis via JNK activation in vivo. Supplementary Figure 6. JNK is a downstream target of ROS. Supplementary Figure 7. Activated autophagy induces apoptotic cell death in EGFR-mutant NSCLCs. Supplementary Figure 8. Glucose deprivation has minimal effect on the growth of EGFR-TKIs-resistant cell lines without EGFR dependency.

Patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) face a dismal prognosis because of a lack of any effective therapies. To address this situation, we conducted a preclinical investigation of the therapeutic efficacy of oligonucleotides directed against the oncogenic microRNA miR-221, which has been implicated in HCC. Of 9 chemistries evaluated, we determined that a 2′-O-methyl phosphorothioate-modified anti-miR-221 oligonucleotide was most effective at reducing proliferation in vitro. A cholesterol-modified isoform of anti-miR-221 (chol-anti-miR-221) exhibited improved pharmacokinetics and liver tissue distribution compared with unmodified oligonucleotide. Chol-anti-miR-221 significantly reduced miR-221 levels in liver within a week of intravenous administration and in situ hybridization studies confirmed accumulation of the oligonucleotide in tumor cells in vivo. Within the same period, chol-anti-miR-221 reduced tumor cell proliferation and increased markers of apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest, elevating the tumor doubling time and increasing mouse survival. Taken together, our findings offer a preclinical proof of efficacy for chol-anti-miR-221 in a valid orthotopic mouse model of HCC, suggesting that this targeted agent could benefit treatment for patients with advanced HCC. Cancer Res; 71(24); 7608–16. ©2011 AACR.

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Abusive head trauma (AHT) is the most common and serious form of child abuse and a leading cause of traumatic death in infants and young children. The biomechanics of head injuries include violent shaking, blunt impact, or a combination of both. Neuroimaging plays an important role in recognizing and distinguishing abusive injuries from lesions from accidental trauma or other causes, because clinical presentation and medical history are often nonspecific and ambiguous in this age group. Understanding common imaging features of AHT can increase recognition with high specificity for AHT. In this review, we discuss the biomechanics of AHT, imaging features of AHT, and other conditions that mimic AHT.

The prevalence of adrenal insufficiency (AI) is increasing with an increase in the elderly population. Steroid replacement therapy (SRT) is often required in patients with AI because of acute symptoms and complications. The long-term effects of SRT on kidney function have not been well elucidated.Overall, 788 patients diagnosed with AI between 2010 and 2015 at Yonsei University Health System were retrospectively evaluated. SRT was defined when an equivalent dose of ≥5 mg/d of hydrocortisone was initiated within 30 days of AI diagnosis and maintained for30 days. Those not included in the SRT group were identified as the no-SRT group. The primary outcome was 40% reduction in the estimated glomerular filtration rate compared with baseline sustained for ≥30 days or end-stage kidney disease development.The mean age of was 63.1 ± 15.4 years, and 43.0% were men. The SRT group comprised 387 patients. During a median follow-up duration of 4.1 years, the primary outcome occurred in 118 (15.0%) patients. The outcome incidence rate was higher in the SRT group (4.61/100 patient-years) than in the no-SRT group (2.76/100 patient-years). When the subdistribution hazard ratio for kidney outcome was assessed with death as a competing risk, the risk was 67% higher in the SRT group than in the no-SRT group (subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.45; P = .006). This association was maintained with inverse probability of treatment weighting and adjustment for confounding variables.Kidney function decline was more prominent in patients with AI who received SRT. Further prospective evaluations are needed to confirm these findings.

Amyloid beta (Aβ) may be central to the pathogenesis of learning and memory dysfunction in alzheimer’s disease. We here assessed the protective effect of 80% (v/v) ethanolic extract of Sorbus commixta bark (SCBE) on amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced cognitive damage in PC 12 cells and in Sprague Dawley rat. SCBE exerted a protective effect against Aβ-induced neuronal cytotoxicity in neuronal PC12 cells. In Aβ-induced rat, SCBE attenuated short-term learning and memory damage, assessed using passive avoidance test, and long-term memory and spatial learning deficit, assessed using Morris water maze test. In addition, SCBE inhibited the capacity for locomotion damaged by Aβ1-42, determined using vertical pole test and rotarod test. Further, SCBE ameliorated cerebral cholinergic impairment in Sprague Dawley rat by increasing the acetylcholine content and reducing the acetylcholinesterase activity, and reduced lipid peroxide levels in brain tissue. Finally, SCBE attenuated apoptotic cascade, as determined by reduced positive staining in brain tissue in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. This indicated that SCBE ameliorated apoptotic toxicity of brain damaged by Aβ1-42. These findings suggest that SCBE could be used as a potential functional food material to improve cognitive and memory dysfunction in alzheimer’s disease.

Oral care is easily neglected in patients in an intensive care unit (ICU) because they are often intubated or have altered mental status. Although care workers pay careful attention to the mouth, tooth loss often occurs in the ICU. Here we report 3 cases of dental bridge loss undetected by the ICU staff. One patient was under mechanical ventilation via an endotracheal tube after emergency intubation, whilst 2 patients were drowsy but not intubated. Consecutive chest X-rays revealed dental bridge loss in all 3 cases, but this was not identified immediately. Along with other critical management approaches, these cases demonstrate how an initial evaluation of the oral cavity, with special attention to the number of teeth, and the existence of dental prosthetics is essential to preventing potential deleterious complications. The number of teeth and the existence of dental prosthetics must be documented in ICU patients.