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The objective of this study was to quantify four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH4) in herbal medicine products in Korea. The PAH4 (benzo[

Abstract: Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify monoclonal antibody (B[a]P-13) Background: Only a few studies have focused on the analysis using specific antibodies in the sandwich ELISA method to each B[a]P in herbal medicine products. In contrast to the sandwich ELISA method, many competitive ELISA methods using specific antibodies such as benzo[a]pyrene monoclonal antibody (B[a]P-13) and a goat anti-mouse IgG (H+L) cross-adsorbed secondary antibody, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were developed. Introduction: The objective of this study was to develop and validate the method for the response of the benzo[a]pyrene monoclonal antibody (B[a]P-13) and goat anti-mouse IgG (H+L) cross-adsorbed secondary antibody (HRP) to prepare the immunogen and its application to detect the benzo[a]pyrene in various herbal medicine products. Methods: This research method includes preparation of B[a]P-protein conjugates, sampling and extraction procedure for herbal medicines, sandwich ELISA procedure, evaluation of cross-reactivity for determination, matrix effect of the organic solvents, correlation of benzo[a]pyrene detection ELISA compared to HPLC-FLD in herbal medicine products. Results: The sandwich ELISA method for B[a]P was validated in linearity (R2 > 0.99), the limit of detection (LOD) (0.080.19 μg/kg) and limit of quantification (LOQ) (0.240.57 μg/kg), accuracy (95.58117.06 %), and precision (3.8010.26 %). The cross-reactivity (CR) was found for B[a]P (100%), CHR (39%), B[b]F (27%), and B[a]A (41%). As a solvent, acetonitrile (MeCN) was used to express the normalized sandwich ELISA calibration curves with benzo[a]pyrene monoclonal antibody (B[a]P-13). The antigen-antibody binding in sandwich ELISA was decreased about 10 times with increasing the salt content (0.0060.18 mol/L phosphate to 20400 mmol/L). The pH range from 6 to 9 was not considered to affect the performance of the sandwich ELISA. Correlation of B[a]P detection in herbal medicines with ELISA compared to HPLC-FLD expressed good correlation (R2 = 0.991) and the slope of the graph for the ELISA (B[a]P-equivalents μg/kg) value divided by the HPLC-FLD (B[a]P μg/kg) value was 0.7292. Conclusion: Therefore, sandwich ELISA method using benzo[a]pyrene monoclonal antibody (B[a]P-13) could be an alternative screening method for detection of B[a]P in herbal medicine products.

Benzyl chloride is a harmful chemical that contaminates air, water, and food. A static headspace GC–MS method for determining benzyl chloride in food was developed and validated. Two food matrices (fat/oil and chicken) were used for method validation. Sample preparation involved ultrasonication extraction and purification (syringe filtration). Linearity (R(2)) was > 0.99, accuracy ranged from 86.91% to 110%, the limit of detection was 0.04–0.17 mg/kg, and the limit of quantification was 0.13–0.52 mg/kg. Recovery varied from 88.19% to 111.77%, and precision ranged from 0.10% to 1.17% in intraday and interday analyses. Among 102 food items (oils, fats, meat, marine, and egg products) distributed in Korea, benzyl chloride was only detected in six of the marine products. The validated analytical method can be used for routine monitoring of benzyl chloride residues in food and thereby prevent the human health risks associated with the consumption of food contaminated with this chemical.

An analytical method was validated and developed to determine the levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, acrylonitrile, benzene, toluene, and styrene from smoking cessation aids using by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Seventeen non-ignitable cigarette type of smoking cessation aids, liquid-phase of smoking cessation aids, gas-phase of smoking cessation aids, and ignitable cigarette type of smoking cessation aids were analyzed for levels of six VOCs. The proposed method for six VOCs was validated in satisfactory linearity (R

Glaucoma treatment is usually initiated with topical medication that lowers the intraocular pressure (IOP) by reducing the aqueous production, enhancing the aqueous outflow, or both. However, the effect of topical IOP-lowering medications on the microstructures of the aqueous outflow pathway are relatively unknown. In this retrospective, observational study, 56 treatment-naïve patients with primary open-angle glaucoma were enrolled. Images of the nasal and temporal corneoscleral limbus were obtained using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). The conjunctival vessels and iris anatomy were used as landmarks to select the same limbal area scan, and the trabecular meshwork (TM) width, TM thickness, and Schlemm’s canal (SC) area were measured before and after using the IOP-lowering agents for 3 months. Among the 56 patients enrolled, 33 patients used prostaglandin (PG) analogues, and 23 patients used dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination (DTFC). After 3 months of DTFC usage, the TM width, TM thickness, and SC area did not show significant changes in either the nasal or temporal sectors. Conversely, after prostaglandin analog usage, the TM thickness significantly increased, and the SC area significantly decreased (all P

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of baseline trabecular meshwork (TM) and Schlemm’s canal (SC) microstructures on intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction amount in treatment-naïve patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Methods: A total 69 eyes of POAG patients who had not been treated with IOP-lowering agent were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients had been prescribed topical IOP-lowering agent and used it for 1 year. The morphologic features of the TM and SC were collected using anterior segment module of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging at baseline. Images of the nasal and temporal corneoscleral limbus were obtained with serial horizontal enhanced depth imaging B-scans and TM width and SC area were measured in each scan. We investigated the effects of baseline TM and SC microstructures on IOP reduction amount.Results: The baseline IOP of 69 glaucomatous eyes was 17.9 ± 3.8 mmHg, and the mean amount of IOP reduction was 3.5 ± 2.1 mmHg after 1 year. Mean TM widths of nasal and temporal sector were 470.33 ± 80.05 and 479.74 ± 79.59 μm, respectively. SC area was measured as 4,818.50 ± 1,464.28, 4,604.23 ± 1,567.73 μm2 at nasal sector and temporal sector, respectively. The correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between SC area and average amount of IOP reduction, indicating that the larger baseline SC area, the greater the IOP drop with topical IOP-lowering agents. However, no correlation was found between TM width and IOP lowering amount in patients with POAG.Conclusions: The baseline SC area showed positive correlation with the IOP reduction amount in patients with POAG. This finding suggests that the SC area can be a clinical parameter to predict the IOP reduction amount before using IOP-lowering agents in POAG patient.

Purpose To investigate the effect of head tilt on the tube position of the Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implanted in patients with glaucoma and to assess how the head tilt-induced alterations of tube parameters and the level of tube entry influence corneal endothelial cell density (ECD). Methods A total of 29 eyes of 26 patients with AGV implantation were included. Tube-cornea distance, tube-cornea angle, and intracameral tube length were measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography in three different head positions (neutral, 30° temporalward tilt, and 30° nasalward tilt). The tube entry was assessed using static gonioscopy. ECD was measured using specular microscopy before and after surgery. Results The mean tube-cornea distance, tube-cornea angle, and intracameral tube length (neutral: 0.87 ± 0.39 mm, 30.56 ± 5.89˚, and 3.10 ± 0.82 mm, respectively) decreased with head tilts (temporalward: 0.82 ± 0.39 mm, 29.27 ± 5.82˚, and 3.04 ± 0.82 mm, respectively; nasalward: 0.83 ± 0.40 mm, 29.61 ± 6.04˚, and 3.05 ± 0.81 mm, respectively; all p l 0.01). The multivariate analyses found age and the tube insertion level to be associated with postoperative changes in the central ECD (p = 0.039 and 0.013, respectively), and the postoperative follow-up period and tube insertion level to be associated with the difference between the inferonasal and superotemporal ECDs (p = 0.034 and 0.007, respectively). Conclusions Mild alterations of head positions induced changes in the intracameral tube positions of AGV implants; nevertheless, it did not significantly affect ECD loss. However, the eyes with tubes inserted anteriorly to Schwalbe's line may be more susceptible to corneal ECD loss.

A single-center retrospective observational case series was conducted. This case series enrolled patients who showed ophthalmic manifestations within one week after COVID-19 vaccination at Korea University Guro Hospital in Seoul, Korea, from May 2021 to January 2022. The medical records of patients who complained of ocular symptoms and showed ophthalmic adverse events within one week after COVID-19 vaccination were reviewed. Seventeen eyes from 16 patients with a mean age of 63.8 (range 33–83) years were included in the case series, and all symptoms developed within 1–7 days following inoculation. Retinal vein occlusion in nine eyes (52.9%), retinal artery occlusion in one eye (5.9%), newly developed anterior uveitis in one eye (5.9%), exacerbation of previously diagnosed panuveitis in two eyes (11.8%), and angle-closure attack with high intraocular pressure in four eyes (23.5%) were included. Twelve patients (75%) had been vaccinated with the AstraZeneca (AZD1222) and four (25%) with the Pfizer (BNT162b2) vaccines. Of these, 10 patients (62.5%) experienced ocular disease exacerbation after the first dose, 4 (25%) after the second dose, and 2 (12.5%) after the third dose (booster shot). Eleven patients (64.7%) underwent tests for hematological abnormalities, and three of them tested positive for anti-PF4 antibodies, but no abnormal findings were noted. A causal relationship between vaccination and the ocular manifestations could not be determined, which is a limitation of this study. However, clinicians should consider the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on ophthalmic disease. Further studies are required to elucidate the possible effects of COVID-19 vaccination on the eye.

An indicator for freshness and quality measurement was utilized to perceive changes in freshness quality while storing chicken breasts. Visible color changes of the indicator shows spoilage and freshness of the packaged products. In addition, changes in pH, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), and Pseudomonas spp. were monitored. The color change sensor (ΔE) reflected the headspace pH during the chicken breasts' packaging process. After storing chicken breast at 20 °C for 24 h, the color change (ΔE) of the indicator for freshness and quality measurement changed. The color change (ΔE) values were correlated with quality characteristics such as sensory, microbiological, and chemical properties that were popularly used to settle the freshness of chicken breast. In conclusion, the results showed that the indicator for freshness and quality measurement was useful in settling the shelf life of chicken breast products by physicochemical changes and monitoring microbial safety. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-022-01034-x.

PRECIS This study demonstrated the high topographic correlation between the red-free fundus photographs and en face structural images in eyes with glaucomatous progression. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare the progression of localized retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects in red-free fundus photographs, en face structural images, and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images. METHODS We performed a retrospective, comparative study on 45 glaucomatous eyes showing RNFL defect widening in red-free photography. The localized RNFL defect in the red-free photographs was termed as red-free defect. The wedge-shaped hyporeflective area radiating from the optic nerve head in the optical coherence tomography (OCT) en face structural images and OCTA images was defined as en face defect and OCTA defect, respectively. The baseline and follow-up angular parameters of each red-free defect were compared with those of en face defect and OCTA defect. RESULTS When the baseline angular parameters were compared, there were no significant differences between red-free defect and en face defect, and between red-free defect and OCTA defect (all, P>0.017). In addition, the follow-up angular parameters showed no difference between red-free defect and en face defect. However, the OCTA defect showed significantly greater values compared with red-free defect and en face defect with respect to the distal angular location and angular width at follow-up visit (36.78±15.10 vs. 34.10±15.09 vs. 33.40±15.05 degrees, both, P

Acrylic acid (AA) chemical that endangers human health through contamination of water, soil, and foods. In this study, the extraction, purification, and detection of AA in various food products were established. The contamination level of AA in food products was investigated as well. Food matrices that were used for method validation were crop, fruit, vegetable, seaweed, beverage, sauce, paste, and pickled food, where the validation was confirmed through cross-checking between two different laboratories by checking the accuracy and precision. Furthermore, sample volume for analysis was optimized. Sonication and syringe filtering were all steps preparing headspace analyzer (HA) before GC-MS analysis. Linearity (RThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-022-01131-x.

Although there was little difference in overall vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) between patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) after controlling for confounding factors, POAG tended to have poorer VRQOL, especially in social functioning and dependency, than NTG.The fundamental goal of treatment of patients with glaucoma is to preserve their VRQOL. The aim of this study was to compare VRQOL between patients with NTG and those with POAG.The self-reported National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) survey was performed, including clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic data from 506 Korean patients with NTG and 287 with POAG. The mean deviation of the integrated binocular visual field was calculated using the best location method. The NEI VFQ-25 results were evaluated by Rasch analysis to control item difficulty and variation in individual response ability. Propensity score matching was used to control for various confounding factors affecting VRQOL.Although patients with POAG tended to have worse VRQOL than those with NTG, there was no statistically significant between-group difference in ocular pain, near and distance activities, mental health, role difficulties, ability to drive, and the overall composite score. However, the social functioning (P=0.016) and dependency (P=0.026) were significantly poorer in POAG patients.Overall VRQOL in patients with NTG and POAG was found to be similar. However, social functioning and dependency were significantly worse in those with POAG. These findings are relevant to supporting glaucoma patients.

Precis Although the localized retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects in the en face structural images showed excellent topographic correlation with those in red-free photographs, the RNFL defect was frequently misidentified by the optical coherence tomography (OCT) deviation map. Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the location of localized RNFL defects using red-free fundus photographs, OCT en face structural images, and OCT RNFL deviation and thickness maps. Methods We investigated the agreement of angular locations of localized RNFL defects. Seventy localized RNFL defects were selected in red-free photographs (red-free defect). En face images and OCT deviation and thickness maps were overlaid on the corresponding red-free photographs. The proximal/distal angular locations and angular width of the red-free defects were compared with those of en face structural images (en face defect) and OCT RNFL deviation (deviation map defect) and thickness maps (thickness map defect). Results Among 70 eyes with red-free defects, 13 (18.6%), 1 (1.4%), and 0 (0%) defects were misidentified by the OCT deviation map, thickness map, and en face image, respectively. There were no significant differences among red-free defects, en face defects, and OCT thickness map defects in the angular width and proximal/distal angular locations. The angular widths were significantly greater in OCT RNFL deviation maps compared with those of other imaging modalities. The correlation coefficients of angular width and locations between the red-free defect and en face defect were significantly higher than those between the red-free defect and OCT map defects (all, P Conclusions Localized RNFL defects detected in red-free photographs showed the highest topographic correlation with defects detected in OCT en face images. En face structural images may aid in identifying the localized RNFL defects in glaucomatous eyes.

PRéCIS:: This observed patient-specific features and treatment-driven conditions that were significantly associated with the impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among glaucoma patients. The results suggest that more systematic strategies should be implemented to improve an HRQOL.To determine factors contributing to an HRQOL and assess total, direct and indirect, effects that may exist between the determinants using path analysis.Data were derived from previous Korea glaucoma outcomes research. A total of 847 glaucoma outpatients with ≤2 years of eye-drop use were included in the present study. Including factors and their hypothetical pathways to an HRQOL were based on the literature review and consultation with specialists. Age, sex, comorbidities, and education levels were included as underlying conditions and treatment patterns were defined by the number of daily instillations of prescribed eye-drops. Treatment satisfaction and adherence were estimated using a Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication, which assessed side-effects, effectiveness, convenience, global satisfaction, and pill count. An HRQOL was assessed by EQ-5D and EQ-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS).In EQ-5D analysis, male individuals showed total effects (β=0.102, P=0.0026), including both direct (β=0.076, P=0.0095) and indirect effects (β=0.0253, P=0.0020), which were mediated by treatment satisfaction in the side effects and global satisfaction categories. Higher education (β=0.197, P=0.0020) and satisfaction in the side effect (β=0.095, P=0.0076) and global satisfaction (β=0.075, P=0.0414) categories were found to have direct effects on EQ-5D. For EQ-VAS, higher education levels had significant total effects (β=0.153, P=0.0020) accounting for direct effects (β=0.131, P=0.0030) and indirect effects (β=0.0223, P=0.0531) through global satisfaction. In addition, male individuals had indirect effects (β=0.274, P=0.0165), which was indirectly mediated by satisfaction in the global satisfaction category. Comorbidity (β=-0.096, P=0.0090) and satisfaction in the effectiveness (β=0.094, P=0.0302), convenience (β=0.076, P=0.0390), and global satisfaction (β =0.144, P=0.0020) categories showed indirect effect on EQ-VAS.Higher education and better treatment satisfaction had positive effects on HRQOL both in direct and indirect ways whereas comorbidities indirectly showed negative associations with HRQOL.

In side-sleeping open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients, eyes that showed progression exhibited a greater intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation when subjects were rested in the lateral decubitus (LD) posture on the ipsilateral side compared with those eyes that did not progress.The purposes of this study were to investigate whether lying in the LD position for an extended period affects IOP in side-sleeping patients with OAG when rested on their own pillow and to compare posture-induced IOP variations between eyes with recent glaucomatous progression and those without.Twenty-eight bilateral OAG patients who reported a preference for side sleeping were included. We measured IOP in both eyes, with the patient in the sitting and supine positions, 5 and 30 minutes after they had been in the right or left LD position (depending on their sleeping habits) and 5 minutes after they had returned to the supine position. While in the recumbent postures, the patients rested on their own pillows from home. The patients were divided into the correspondence and noncorrespondence subgroups, based on whether the laterality of the progressed eye corresponded with their habitual sleeping side.The IOP of the lower-sided eye increased further (+1.6 ± 1.8 mmHg; P.001) when the LD posture was maintained for an additional 25 minutes. Such time-dependent IOP elevation in the dependent eye was greater in patients whose LD posture corresponded with glaucoma progression (+2.5 ± 1.7 mmHg) than in those who showed no correspondence or no glaucoma progression (+1.0 ± 1.6 mmHg; P = .03).Compared with nonprogressed eyes, progressed eyes exhibited a greater IOP elevation when the side-sleeping patients with OAG were rested in the LD posture on the ipsilateral side.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are produced during incomplete combustion of organic matter. Many of them are likely to be carcinogenic and cause mutations. In this study, the PAH4 (benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), benz[a]anthracene (BaA), chrysene (CHR), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF)) content in deep-fat fried pork was evaluated according to temperature and time, and a risk assessment was conducted. The high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) method for PAH4 analysis was validated by determining linearity (R2), recovery, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantitation (LOQ). The linearity was R2 ≥ 0.99. The PAH4 level was dependent on the temperature, time, and nature of the edible oil. Before heat treatment, the PAH4 content of pork was 0.38 μg/kg. The PAH4 content of deep-fat fried pork ranged from 0.86 to 6.86 μg/kg according to temperature (160, 180, 200 °C) and time (3, 6, 9 min). Exposure to PAH4 via the consumption of deep-fat fried pork for different age groups among the Korean population was 0.01–0.89 μg-TEQBaP/kg/day, with the margin of exposure calculated as 7.88 × 104–5.22 × 106. The PAH4 content and risk of exposure increased proportionally with the heat treatment temperature and time. The survey provided important information in terms of evaluating the health risks that PAH compounds can cause in people’s diets due to the heat treatment of pork.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate density change in the retinal capillary plexus during intra ocular pressure (IOP) elevation in vitrectomized pigs’ eyes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Eight eyes of eight micro pigs received vitrectomy and the IOP was controlled from 15 mmHg (baseline) to 105 mmHg in 15 mmHg increments using a vented-gas forced-infusion system, and then decreased back to normal IOP (recovery state). The spectral-domain OCTA device was set to scan an area of 8.8 × 4.4 mm (30° × 15°) above the optic nerve head for each IOP. The relative vessel density (rVAD) compared to baseline was determined for the total retinal blood flow (RBF) which included major retinal artery and venous vessels, radial peripapillary capillaries (RPCs), superficial (SVP), intermediate (IVP), and deep vascular plexus (DVP). The mean rVAD was 0.890 in RBF, 0.826 in RPCs, 0.817 in SVP, 0.819 in IVP, and 0.794 in DVP at 30 mmHg. While the rVAD of RBF and RPCs decreased to 0.504 and 0.541 at 45 mmHg, the SVP, IVP, and DVP decreased to 0.433, 0.359, and 0.345, respectively. When IOP was normalized, the rVAD was recovered in all layers and the VAD of RBF, IVP, and DVP were higher than baseline (P = 0.040, 0.019, and 0.019, respectively). Retinal capillary density deterioration in each layer was found from 30 mmHg using an OCTA system which showed excellent depth-resolved segmentation of retinal capillary layers even at higher IOPs. Reduction in VAD showed full recovery after IOP normalization.

This study quantified six heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As, Sn, Hg, and Me-Hg) in home meal replacement products. Satisfactory linearity (R2 > 0.99), recovery (80.65–118.02%), limits of detection (0.02–2.81 μg/kg), limits of quantification (0.05–8.51 μg/kg), accuracy (80.49–119.87%), precision (0.26–14.93%), standard uncertainty (0.082–0.321%) and relative standard uncertainty (0.084–0.320%) of the six heavy metals were obtained. The average concentration of the six heavy metals was 8.87 μg/kg. Heavy metal concentrations were converted to food intake data of 0.009 μg/kg to recalculate the 95th percentile food intake data (g/day) of individual heavy metals. These were then divided by age group to evaluate the average exposure to heavy metals and determine the 95th percentile of exposure from daily intake and for the whole population, of home meal replacement products. The chronic daily intake amount of six heavy metals was 1.60 × 10−2 μg/kg/day. Based on total chronic daily intake values, the risk and margin of exposure of each of the heavy metals was 9.13 × 107, demonstrating that intake associated with home meal replacement products is negligible.

This study quantified eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fishery products. Satisfactory linearity (r > 0.99), recovery (80.00–120.00%), LOD (0.21–0.54 μg/kg), LOQ (0.07–0.18 μg/kg), accuracy (81.00–120.00%), and precision (0.61–15.00%) of 8 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were obtained. The average concentration of PAH8 was 2.13 μg/kg. PAHs concentrations were converted to carcinogenicity of benzo [a]pyrene (BaP) to recalculate the toxic equivalent value (TEQ) of individual PAHs and then divided by age group to evaluate the average exposure to PAHs for the whole population and determine the 95th percentile of exposure from daily intake of fishery products. The exposure amount of PAH8 was 7.18 × 10−4μg-TEQBaP/kg/day. Based on estimated total dietary exposure to PAHs published by WHO/JECFA, the margin of exposure (MOE) of PAH8 was 6.54 × 1010, demonstrating that intake associated with fishery products is negligible. Based on MOE, incremental lifetime cancer risk of total PAHs showed low level of potential risk.

Although primary open-angle glaucoma (OAG) generally occurs in older individuals and manifests in eyes with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), it may also occur in young patients or in eyes with an IOP that always measures within the statistically normal range. Recent advances in optical coherence tomography angiography have enabled noninvasive visualization of the vasculature around the optic disc. In this study, we investigated the clinical features of young Korean patients with OAG and compared the peripapillary vessel density of patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) to those with high-tension glaucoma (HTG). The peripapillary vessel density was reduced in eyes with HTG compared with that in normal subjects (HTG: 23.18 ± 2.06% vs. normal subjects: 24.74 ± 1.88%, P value = 0.013). In contrast, the peripapillary vessel density of eyes with NTG was comparable with that of normal eyes (NTG: 23.98 ± 2.30% vs. normal subjects: 24.74 ± 1.88%, P value = 0.505). These findings suggest that young patients with HTG show greater peripapillary microvascular attenuation than healthy subjects or young patients with NTG, indicating that different levels of the initial untreated IOP may have different effects on the peripapillary vessel density in young patients with OAG.

Purpose To investigate responses of macular capillary vessel area density (VAD) of superficial and deep retinal vascular plexuses to elevations in intraocular pressure (IOP) in cynomolgus macaque monkeys using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods In five general anesthetized male cynomolgus monkeys, the IOP was increased incrementally by 10 mmHg from baseline (10 mmHg) to 70 mmHg and then decreased back to 10 mmHg (recovery state). Structural OCT (30° × 30°) and OCTA (20° × 15°) centered on the macula were obtained at each IOP and 3, 15, and 30 minutes after recovery. En face images of the superficial vascular complex (SVC) and deep vascular complex (DVC) were extracted, and VAD (%) compared with that at baseline was calculated. Results The VADs in the SVC and DVC at baseline and at 30 mmHg IOP were 34.96%, 34.15%, 35.38%, and 30.12%, respectively. The VAD plateaued until 30 mmHg; however, the VAD was affected more in the DVC than in the SVC (P = 0.008) at 30 mmHg. It showed a significant reduction at 40 mmHg (16.52% SVC, P = 0.006; 18.59% DVC, P = 0.012). In the recovery state, the SVC showed full retention of baseline VAD, but the DVC maintained VAD approximately 70% of that at baseline. Structural OCT showed hyperreflectivity in the nuclear layer, retinal swelling, and an undifferentiated ellipsoid zone from 50 mmHg. Conclusions Despite physiological autoregulation, perifoveal microcirculation was affected at high IOP ≥ 40 mmHg, especially in the DVC, which explains the pathological mechanism of macular vulnerability in ischemic diseases.

Purpose To analyze the effects on the uvea, including the pars plicata and ciliary muscle, and retina in normal porcine eyes after performing micropulse transslceral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) with the different energy levels, and conventional continuous wave transslceral cyclophotocoagulation. Methods MP-TSCPC was performed in a total of 15 eyes at the different energy levels of 60 J, 120 J, 180 J, 240 J, and 300 J, respectively. Continuous wave transslceral cyclophotocoagulation was performed in three eyes and the other three eyes were controls. The eyes were enucleated after a month following the laser treatment and the uvea and retina were analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry staining. Results After MP-TSCPC 60 J, the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and glial fibrillary acidic protein in the ciliary muscle was increased, although there was no structural change in pars plicata. After MP-TSCPC 120 J, partial destruction of the ciliary epithelium was observed in pars plicata, and the retinal thickness was increased. After MP-TSCPC 240 J and 300 J, the structural destruction of the pars plicata and ciliary muscle was observed, and the expression of α-SMA and glial fibrillary acidic protein in pars plicata and the expression of α-SMA in ciliary muscle were increased. Conclusions Histologic changes in the uvea and peripheral retina were different based on the energy levels of MP-TSCPC. In particular, MP-TSCPC with low energy levels mainly affected the ciliary muscle, while MP-TSCPC with high energy levels affected both the ciliary muscle and pars plicata. Our results may imply a possibility of intraocular damage with MP-TSCPC in humans. Translational relevance Based on our research, it is possible to infer the possibility of intraocular damage in humans according to the different levels of energy in the clinic.

To investigate whether a signal alteration (SA) in the optic nerve head (ONH) on 3D T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is associated with glaucomatous optic neuropathy Materials and Methods: A total of 35 patients with bilateral open-angle glaucoma and 31 age-matched controls underwent 3D high-resolution (0.98 × 0.98 × 1 mmOf the 35 eyes with glaucoma, 26 eyes (74.3%) exhibited an SA in the ONH, whereas it was observed in 5 (16.1%) of the 31 controls (P 0.001). The eyes with a prominent SA had a significantly different average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (P = 0.002) and the ONH parameters except for the disk area (all P 0.001) than those without an SA. The eyes with a mild SA had a significantly narrower neural rim area, larger cup volume, and larger average and vertical cup-to-disk ratios compared with those without an SA (P = 0.011, 0.003, 0.004, and 0.004, respectively) Conclusions: The SA in the ONH on 3D T2-weighted MRI was significantly more frequent in eyes with open-angle glaucoma than in the controls.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds that are often formed during the thermal processing of herbal medicine ingredients. In this study, the concentrations of four PAHs (PAH4) in various herbal medicine ingredients were monitored. Further, the QuEChERS method was used to replace conventional pretreatment, a more complex and cumbersome approach. The recovery range of the QuEChERS method ranged between 89.65–118.59%, and the average detection levels of benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), chrysene (CHR), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), and Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in 50 herbal medicine ingredients were 0.18, 0.27, 1.13, and 0.17 μg/kg, respectively. The BaP and PAH4 levels in all tested samples were deemed safe according to risk characterization analyses based on European Union and Korean guidelines. Therefore, our findings indicated that the QuEChERS method could be used as an effective alternative to conventional sample pretreatment for the analysis of herbal medicine ingredients.

In this paper, the effects of hydrogen (H 2 ) plasma treatment on the molybdenum (Mo)-doped indium oxide (InO) thin film that was formed on glass using the polymer-assisted deposition (PAD) process were investigated. The sheet resistance for the sample treated at the ICP power of 15 W was quenched to 167 Ω/sq. from the 680 Ω/sq. for the as-deposited sample. Compared with the as-deposited sample, both the mobility and the concentration of the sample treated at the 15 W ICP power were also increased simultaneously, resulting in an increased conductivity. From these results, it was concluded that the H 2 plasma treatment is an efficient method for the enhancement of the electrical property, as well as to remove nano-sized cracks on the surface of the PAD-Mo-doped InO without a deterioration the optical transmittance.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The purpose of the study was to evaluate vision-related quality of life in Korean glaucoma patients and to explore the associated factors. METHODS A total of 907 glaucoma patients were recruited from the prospectively designed LIGHT (Life quality of the glaucoma patient who underwent treatment) study organized by the Korean Glaucoma Society. Basic questionnaire that included items related to socioeconomic status, comorbidity, and lifestyle, and the validated Korean version of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) were collected. The Rasch score, a logit-based interval scale estimate to summarizing the NEI VFQ-25 responses, was calculated. The univariate and multivariable regression models were used to evaluate associations between the Rasch score and variables. RESULTS The mean patient age was 58.1±14.1 years, visual field mean deviation (VF MD) of the better and worse eyes was -4.92±6.14 and -9.77±8.31 dB, binocular-integrated VF (IVF) MD was -3.55±5.31 dB, respectively. The lower NEI VFQ-25 Rasch score showed a significant association with the presence of other ocular diseases (P=0.020), a high school level of education or less [vs. university (P=0.006), vs. graduate school or higher (P=0.019)], an anxious personality [vs. a moderate personality (P

Significance Eyes with primary angle-closure disease showed higher intraocular pressure (IOP) in the recumbent postures including supine and lateral decubitus (LD) positions compared with the sitting position. Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different body postures on the IOP in eyes with primary angle-closure suspect (PACS), primary angle closure (PAC), or primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). Methods This is a comparative case series of 31 patients with bilateral PAC disease, such as PACS, PAC, and PACG. The IOP was measured using Tonopen AVIA in sitting, supine, and right or left LD positions. Patients were instructed to rest their heads on the pillows in supine and LD positions. The eye on the lower side in the LD position was called dependent eye. The main outcome was the difference in IOP among different body postures. Results Among the 62 eyes (31 patients), PACG, PAC, and PACS were noted in 44, 12, and 6 eyes, respectively. The IOP was not significantly different between the two eyes in sitting and supine positions, whereas the IOP was significantly higher in the dependent eye than in the nondependent eye in LD positions. Compared with that measured in the supine position, IOP differences of the dependent eye were higher than those of the nondependent eye when measured in LD position (right LD vs. supine, P = .02; left LD vs. supine, P = .01). In addition, when the study patients were divided into three groups according to their diagnosis, no significant differences were observed in the IOPs and IOP differences among the three groups. Conclusions Posture-induced IOP changes were comparable among eyes with PACS, PAC, and PACG.

Purpose To investigate the roles and pathways of microRNAs 143 and 145 in transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced human subconjunctival fibrosis. Methods Human tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTFs) were obtained from a healthy eye. After treating cultured HTFs with TGF-β1, the expression of microRNAs 143 and 145 was evaluated using polymerase chain reaction. To identify the pathways of TGF-β1-induced microRNA 143/145 expression, HTFs were treated with specific inhibitors of p38MAPK, PI3K/Akt, JNK, ERK, and with siRNAs for SMAD2 and SMAD4. Mutagenesis studies were performed to evaluate the role of the CArG box and SMAD-binding element (SBE). To investigate the role of microRNA 143/145 in TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast transdifferentiation, microRNA 143/145 mimics and microRNA 143/145 inhibitors were applied to the HTFs. Results Array analysis revealed that TGF-β1 induced the expression of microRNA 143/145 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. When inhibitors and siRNAs for p38MAPK, PI3K/Akt, ERK, and JNK were applied, the TGF-β1-induced expression of microRNA 143/145 was inhibited; however, SMAD2 and SMAD4 inhibition did not affect the TGF-β1-induced expression of these microRNAs. In the mutagenesis studies, both the CArG box and SBE were associated with TGF-β1-induced expression of microRNA 143/145. Mimics of microRNA 143/145 induced increased myofibroblast formation, whereas their inhibitors had the opposite effect. Conclusions TGF-β1-induced human subconjunctival fibrosis was mediated by the expression of microRNA 143/145, mainly via SMAD-independent pathways. Inhibition of TGF-β1-induced microRNA 143/145 expression in HTFs might represent a novel strategy to prevent subconjunctival fibrosis.

SIGNIFICANCE Precise measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) is essential when diagnosing and managing glaucoma. We compared the IOP readings of three different tonometers and analyzed agreement among tonometers in eyes with high IOPs. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare the IOP readings obtained using a Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), a rebound tonometer (RT), and a Tono-Pen (TP) in angle-closure eyes with elevated IOP before and after medical IOP-lowering therapy. METHODS Twenty-five eyes of 25 patients with angle closure and IOPs of greater than 30 mmHg were enrolled. Intraocular pressure was measured using RT (iCare Pro), TP (Tono-Pen XL), and GAT before and after medical treatment. The mean IOP readings of the tonometers were compared before and after treatment. The agreement among the tonometers was assessed via Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS The measurements from 22 eyes of 22 patients were suitable for statistical analyses. Before medical treatment, the mean TP-IOP was significantly lower than the mean GAT-IOP (44.0 ± 10.3 vs. 50.4 ± 8.9 mmHg, respectively; P < .001), but no significant difference was evident between the RT-IOP and the GAT-IOP (50.8 ± 10.9 vs. 50.4 ± 8.9 mmHg, respectively; P = .79). After IOP-lowering treatment, the mean GAT-IOP (14.9 ± 4.7 mmHg) did not differ from either the mean RT-IOP (15.6 ± 4.4 mmHg) or the mean TP-IOP (15.4 ± 5.0 mmHg; P = .05 and P = .18, respectively). The random measurement error among tonometers was greater for high IOP readings. CONCLUSIONS Compared with RT or GAT, TP underestimated IOP in angle-closure eyes with a GAT-IOP of greater than 30 mmHg. Intraocular pressure reading agreement among the three tonometers was lower in eyes with high IOP.

PURPOSE To investigate the surgical outcomes of 180-degree suture trabeculotomy in Korean patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). PATIENTS AND METHODS This retrospective study included 21 eyes of 17 children with PCG who underwent 180-degree suture trabeculotomy as a first surgical procedure. Surgical success was defined as (1) an intraocular pressure (IOP)

PURPOSE To identify factors influencing vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) according to glaucoma severity. METHODS A total of 901 patients with varying stages of glaucoma were recruited from the prospectively designed LIGHT (Life Quality of Glaucoma Patients Who Underwent Treatment) study organized by the Korean Glaucoma Society. Participants completed a basic questionnaire collecting socioeconomic status and clinical information, in addition to the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25). Subjects were classified by mean deviation (MD) of integrated binocular visual field (IVF) into mild, moderate and severe damage groups. Factors were evaluated for their influence on VRQOL according to glaucoma severity using univariate and multivariable regression models between Rasch-analysed NEI VFQ-25 subscale scores and different variables. RESULTS The mild, moderate and severe groups contained 720, 111 and 70 patients, respectively; the mean IVF MD in each group was -1.4, -8.5 and -17.9 dB. Significant differences were observed among the three groups with respect to age, IVF MD, visual acuity (VA), education level, income level, number of glaucoma medications prescribed and follow-up period. The most influential factor associated with VRQOL according to glaucoma severity was VA. The VA of the better eye was much more influential on VRQOL than the VA of the worse eye in the moderate and severe defect groups, and the impact of VA on VRQOL was more prominent in advanced glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS Visual acuity is the most influential factor on VRQOL in patients with glaucoma. Preservation of VA should be strongly prioritized to maintain good VRQOL.

International audience; Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the peripapillary vessel density between eyes with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG) and eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Methods: Peripapillary vessel density in the radial peripapillary capillaries was assessed using optical coherence tomography angiography, and compared between patients with PXG and those with POAG, matched for age and mean deviation (MD) of standard automated perimetry. The vessel density was measured between the optic disc margin and 750 μm from the optic disc margin.Results: In total, 39 eyes with PXG were matched to 39 eyes with POAG. Mean untreated intraocular pressure was higher in the PXG group than in the POAG group (21.4±6.7 vs. 14.9±2.9 mm Hg; P

The aim of this study was to evaluate the regional variations of peripapillary choroidal thickness (PCT) in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients with a retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defect localized to a single superior or inferior hemifield. This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study.Ninety-five NTG patients and 53 normal subjects were divided into 3 groups: 34 eyes with a superior RNFL defect (group A), 61 eyes with an inferior RNFL defect (group B), and 53 normal eyes (group C). The average, quadrant, and clock-hour RNFL thickness (RNFLT) and PCT were measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Choroidal thickness ratio (CTR) was defined as the ratio of the measured PCT at a quadrant or a clock-hour position to the average PCT of an individual. The PCT, CTR, and RNFLT were compared among 3 groups.The average PCT of NTG patients was thinner compared to that of healthy subjects (154.17 vs. 180.65 μm, P

Purpose To assess influence of the location of visual field (VF) loss on vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) in patients with glaucoma. Methods We included 826 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) enrolled in the prospectively designed Life Quality of Glaucoma Patients Who Underwent Treatment (LIGHT) study organized by the Korean Glaucoma Society. We divided the integrated binocular visual field (IVF) into four regions and evaluated the associations between Rasch-analysed 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) and location of the IVF using univariate and hierarchical multivariable linear regression. Results Mean deviation (MD) of the IVF at superior centre showed the lowest value among the four regions. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed significant correlation of the composite score and all subscales of the NEI VFQ-25 except ocular pain and near activities at each of four IVF regions. Mean deviation at superior centre showed significant correlation with composite score (R2 = 0.181), near activities (R2 = 0.175), and social functioning (R2 = 0.166); MD at superior periphery showed highest correlation with role difficulties (R2 = 0.137); MD at inferior centre showed highest correlation with driving (R2 = 0.145); and MD at inferior periphery showed significant correlation with distance activities (R2 = 0.214) and dependency (R2 = 0.119). Conclusion Four different regions of the IVF had a similarly important impact on subscales of the NEI VFQ-25 in glaucoma patients. Preservation of the superior field should be considered as much as that of the inferior field for maintaining a good VRQOL in patients with glaucoma.

Purpose The purpose of this article is to compare the locations of localized retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects in red-free fundus photographs and optical coherence tomography (OCT) en face images. Methods We performed a retrospective, comparative study on 46 eyes from 46 glaucoma patients with localized RNFL defects observed in red-free fundus photographs. En face structural images were obtained in the superficial and whole retinal layers using OCT and were overlaid on the corresponding red-free fundus photographs. The proximal/distal angular locations and angular width of each RNFL defect in red-free photos (red-free defects) and in en face structural images (en face defects) were compared. Results In the superficial retinal layer, there were no significant differences between red-free and en face defects on the proximal/distal angular location and angular width. In the whole retinal layer, the degree of the distal angular location of the en face defects was significantly larger than that of the red-free defects (71.85±18.26 vs. 70.87±17.90 degrees, P=0.003). The correlations of clinical variables with the differences in angular parameters between red-free and en face defects were not significant in the superficial retinal layer. The average RNFL thickness was negatively correlated with the difference in the distal angular location in the whole retinal layer (Pearson correlation coefficient=-0.401, P=0.006). Conclusions Localized RNFL defects detected in OCT en face structural images of the superficial retinal layer showed high topographic correlation with defects detected in red-free photographs. OCT en face structural images in the superficial layer may be an alternative to red-free fundus photography for the identification of localized RNFL defects in glaucomatous eyes.

Rationale: Glaucoma drainage implant surgery is a treatment option for the management of neovascular glaucoma. However, tube obstruction by blood clot after Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation is an unpredictable clinically challenging situation. Patient concerns-diagnoses-interventions: We report 4 cases using intracameral air injection for the prevention of the tube obstruction of AGV by blood clot. Outcomes: The first case was a 57-year-old female suffering from ocular pain because of a tube obstruction with blood clot after AGV implantation in neovascular glaucoma. Surgical blood clot removal was performed. However, intractable bleeding was noted during the removal of the blood clot, and so intracameral air injection was performed to prevent a recurrent tube obstruction. After the procedure, although blood clots formed around the tube, the tube opening where air could touch remained patent. In 3 cases of neovascular glaucoma with preoperative severe intraocular hemorrhages, intracameral air injection and AGV implantation were performed simultaneously. In all 3 cases, tube openings were patent. It appears that air impeded the blood clots formation in front of the tube opening. Lessons: Intracameral air injection could be a feasible option to prevent tube obstruction of AGV implant with a blood clot in neovascular glaucoma with high risk of tube obstruction.

To evaluate the effect of preservative-free (PF) tafluprost on diurnal variation of intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), measured by use of home IOP and blood-pressure (BP) monitoring devices, for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. Twenty-two eyes from 22 patients with POAG were studied. Initially, IOP was measured at the hospital by Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and Icare-ONE rebound tonometry. Each patient was then instructed how to use the Icare-ONE and BP home monitoring devices. IOP and BP were measured at home by the patients, every 4 h, before and 2 weeks after once daily treatment with PF tafluprost (0.0015 %) ophthalmic solution. Intraclass correlations between different IOP measurements were greater than 0.8. PF tafluprost reduced mean diurnal IOP significantly for patients with POAG, from 15.7 ± 1.2 mmHg at baseline to 12.5 ± 0.6 mmHg 2 weeks after treatment (p