Anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extracts of the flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum L. on human gingival fibroblast cells treated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide / 대한치과재료학회지

This study was conducted to evaluate the cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanol extract of Syzygium aromaticum L. (clove) buds. The cytotoxicity test was performed by cell counting method using hTERT-hNOF cells, a human immortalized gingival fibroblast cell line. To test the anti-inflammatory effects, the hTERT-hNOF cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from Porphyromonas gingivalis KCOM 2804 (PgLPS) and ethanol extract of clove buds. The expression levels of PGE2, IL-6, and IL-8 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cytotoxicity test data showed a cell viability of ≧ 82% in hTERT-hNOF cells treated with 10 to 80 µg/mL of the ethanol extract of clove buds. The anti-inflammatory test data showed that the expression of PGE2 by PgLPS treatment was reduced to the level of the negative control group by treatment with 10 µg/mL or more of the ethanol extract of clove buds. In group treated with PgLPS and 40 µg/mL of clove bud ethanol extract, the expression levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in were inhibited by 75% and 77%, respectively (p<0.05), compared to the positive control (PgLPS treatment) group. These results suggest that the ethanol extract of clove buds can be used in developing oral hygine products for preventing periodontal disease.

Cytotoxic Constituents from the Roots of Asarum sieboldii in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the roots of Asarum sieboldii led to the isolation of the six compounds methylkakuol (1), sesamin (2), asarinin (3), xanthoxylol (4), and (2E,4E,8Z,10E/Z)-N-(2-methylpropyl) dodeca-2,4,8,10-tetraenamide (5/6). Among the isolates, xanthoxylol (4) exhibited significant cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cells MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 in vitro with IC₅₀ values of 9.15 and 13.95 µM, respectively.

A Case of Primary Conjunctival Giant Cell Tumor

PURPOSE: To report a case of primary conjunctival giant cell tumor (GCT). CASE SUMMARY: A 67-year-old female visited our clinic with the chief complaint of a 10-year-history of conjunctival mass in the left eye. The patient had no marked changes in the mass size, and her visual acuity and intraocular pressure were within the normal range. The protruding conjunctival mass invaded the limbal area at the 8 o’clock direction in the left eye and was 5 × 4 × 2 mm in size. Moreover, the pink-colored mass had a lobulated shape with a well-defined margin. In the adjacent mass region, concurrent presence of the conjunctival injection was observed. However, the patient did not exhibit pain or tenderness. We performed wide excision of the conjunctival mass concomitantly with amniotic membrane transplantation. Then, histopathological examinations and immunohistochemical staining of the surgical site were performed. On histopathology, the patient had findings suggestive of GCT. Additionally, immunohistochemistry was positive for CD68 and vimentin. leading to the final diagnosis of GCT. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first case of GCT of the conjunctiva, which has not been described in the literature. Our case highlights the importance of differential diagnosis from other protuberant conjunctival tumors. A complete removal of GCT of the conjunctiva and a recovery of aesthetic outcomes can be achieved by surgical excision of the mass.

A Case of Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection for the Treatment of Choroidal Neovascularization in Morning Glory Syndrome

PURPOSE: We report a case of intravitreal bevacizumab injection for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization in morning glory syndrome. CASE SUMMARY: A 51-year-old male visited our hospital for a 1.5-year visual disturbance in his right eye. The patient's best-corrected visual acuity was 0.1 in the right eye. After fundus examination, we found characteristic findings of morning glory syndrome with submacular hemorrhage and serous retinal detachment in the right eye. Optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography were performed for evaluation. Retinoschisis, subretinal fluid, and choroidal neovascularization were detected, and thus bevacizumab was injected in the right eye. After intravitreal bevacizumab injection, retinoschisis was improved, and subretinal fluid was decreased. However, retinal pigment epithelial detachment was newly detected, and serous retinal detachment persisted. After 2 months, a second bevacizumab injection was performed. After these intravitreal bevacizumab injections at 1 and 2 months, visual acuity was 0.4 and 0.6, respectively. Visual acuity improved to 1.0 after 3 months. Visual acuity was maintained for at least 6 months with no relapse of choroidal neovascularization. CONCLUSIONS: The choroidal neovascularization in morning glory syndrome was effectively treated with intravitreal bevacizumab injections.

Clinical Outcomes of Double Staining and Additional ILM Peeling during ERM Surgery

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical outcomes in idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) patients after vitrectomy and ERM removal with or without additional indocyanine green (ICG)-assisted internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. METHODS: The medical records of 43 patients with an idiopathic ERM that underwent vitrectomy and ERM removal between July 2007 and April 2010 were reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: triamcinolone-assisted simple ERM peeling only (group A, n = 23) and triamcinolone-assisted ERM peeling followed by ICG staining and peeling of the remaining internal ILM (group B, n = 20). RESULTS: No difference was found between the two groups in terms of visual acuity, macular thickness, P1 amplitude or implicit time on multifocal-electroretinogram (mfERG) at six and 12 months postoperatively. In group B, ICG staining after ERM peeling demonstrated that the ILM had been removed together with the ERM in 12 eyes (60%), and all 12 eyes showed punctate retinal hemorrhages during ERM peeling. There was no recurrence of an ERM in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Additional procedures involving ICG staining and ILM peeling during ERM surgery do not appear to have an additive effect on the clinical outcomes in terms of visual acuity, retinal function based on mfERG, or recurrence rate.

Predictive Factors for Visual Outcome after Treatment for Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization

PURPOSE: To determine predictive factors associated with visual outcome after treatment for myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV). METHODS: Medical records of the patients who underwent photodynamic therapy (PDT), intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (Anti-VEGF) injection, or combination therapy of PDT and Anti-VEGF for myopic CNV, and followed up for more than a year, were reviewed retrospectively. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the predictive factors significantly associated with the visual outcome at 1 year after the treatment. RESULTS: Mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 45 eyes of 45 patients showed statistically significant improvement 1 year after the treatment with a mean of 3.5 line improvement (p < 0.01, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Age, 1-month BCVA after treatment and treatment type appeared to be associated with the 1-year visual outcome after treatment for mCNV (p = 0.033, p < 0.001, and p = 0.044, respectively, multivariate linear regression analysis). CONCLUSIONS: Younger age (less than 40 years), better 1-month BCVA after treatment, intravitreal Anti-VEGF monotherapy were associated with improved visual outcome after treatment for mCNV. In particular, 1-month BCVA after treatment is a useful indicator to predict therapeutic response after treatment for mCNV.

A Case of Primary Orbital Synovial Sarcoma

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of primary orbital synovial sarcoma. CASE SUMMARY: A 55-year-old male visited our clinic with a 2-month history of decreased visual field in the left eye. The best corrected visual acuity of the left eye was 1.0, and 2.5 mm of proptosis was observed. There was slight limitations in motility and a mild visual field defect in the inferotemporal quadrant of the left eye. Funduscopic examination of the left eye revealed papilledema. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated the presence of an orbital mass that extended inferotemporally into the left orbit. On magnetic resonance imaging, a well-demarcated and 2.7 x 2.0 x 2.2 cm sized tumor was identified with intermediate signal intensities on T1/T2-weighted scans with slight homogenous enhancement. We approached the orbital mass using a lateral conjunctival incision with left canthotomy and cantholysis and performed partial surgical resection of the mass because the mass encircled the optic nerve. The mass was diagnosed as synovial sarcoma based on the findings of both histopathology and immunohistochemical staining. Postoperatively, the patient underwent radiation therapy to the rest of the tumor site. CONCLUSIONS: Synovial sarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an orbital mass lesion encircling the optic nerve. Radiation therapy is useful to treat completely unresectable primary synovial sarcoma.

Linear Hyperechoic Lesions in the Thalami and Basal Ganglia of Neonates and Infants:A Sonographic Finding of Vasculopathy and Clinical Significance

PURPOSE: This study is to evaluate the clinical significance and possible etiologies of abnormal neurosonographic findings that revealed linear or branching linear hyperechoic vascular lesions in the thalami and basal ganglia of neonates and infants. METHODS: Analysis of 2,866 cranial sonograms (US) and doppler ultrasonography obtained from 1,150 patients identified 53 patients with linear hyperechoic vascular lesions in the thalami or basal ganglia. Patients with only punctate or coarse, nonlinear lesions of echogenicity in these lesions were excluded. Clinical records in 53 patients were reviewed for documentation of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, rubella, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, chromosomal abnormality and other major diagnoses. Brain computed tomography (CT) had been performed in 23 of the 53 patients and these images were compared with the cranial sonograms. RESULTS: There were five CMV infection, two congenital syphilis, three Down syndrome, and one Patau syndrome patients. Other major diagnoses encountered included perinatal asphyxia, ventriculomegaly, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, small-for-gestational age, prematurity with hyaline membrane disease, multiple congenital anomalies, neonatal seizure, meningitis, congenital choroid plexus cyst, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, congenital heart disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and others. Brain CT found small calcification in basal ganglia from one patient. Resolution of lesions found in 5 cases with follow-up US studies. CONCLUSION: A broad etiologic basis for linear hyperechoic vascular lesions in the thalami and basal ganglia of neonates and infants indicates complete screening for possible various etiologies.

A Case of Colonic Angiodysplasia / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Angiodysplasia is an important vascular lesion of the gastointestinal tract , located at the site of ectasia of intestinal submucosal veins and overlying mucosal capillaries. It is a major cause of morbidity from gastrointestinal bleeding in old age, but rather rare in children. Its cause is still unknown, though is mostly considered to be acquired as a result of a degenerative process associated with aging. We experienced a case of colonic angiodysplasia in 14-year old boy, diagnosed by colonoscopy. The patient had a history of repeated hematochezia for a year. This report summarized our case and reviewed the literature.