ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although the therapeutic mechanism of balneotherapy for atopic dermatitis has not been clarified, many atopic patients who visit thermomineral springs have shown clinical improvements. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of thermomineral water balneotherapy on the atopic dermatitis murine model. METHODS: The oxazolone-induced atopic dermatitis murine model was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of balneotherapy with Deokgu thermomineral water compared with distilled water. Histologic evaluation and confocal microscopic imaging were performed to analyze the lesional expression of cluster-of-differentiation (CD)4 and forkhead box p3 (Foxp3). Lesional mRNA expression of interleukin (IL) 33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and Foxp3 was evaluated by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Compared with the distilled water bath group, confocal microscopic evaluation of CD4 and Foxp3 merged images showed increased expression of regulatory T cells in the thermomineral balneotherapy group. The lesional mRNA level of IL-33 showed a reduced trend in the thermomineral balneotherapy group, whereas the level of mRNA of Foxp3 was increased. TSLP showed a decreased trend in both distilled water and thermomineral water bath groups. There was a trend of reduced expression in lesional IL-33 mRNA but increased cell count of CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in thermomineral balneotherapy compared with distilled water bath. CONCLUSION: Therefore, thermomineral balneotherapy can be an effective and safe adjuvant therapeutic option for atopic dermatitis.
Subject(s)
Humans , Balneology , Baths , Cell Count , Dermatitis , Dermatitis, Atopic , Immunomodulation , Interleukins , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Reverse Transcription , RNA, Messenger , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , WaterABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the ability to determine the postoperative status of macular hole (MH) in gas-filled eyes using swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). METHODS: Ten eyes of 10 patients who underwent vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade for idiopathic MH were included in this study. The macular area was examined using SS-OCT on postoperative days 1, 2 and 30. RESULTS: MH status was assessed in 6 eyes (60%) on postoperative day 1 and MH closure was confirmed in 5 of the 6 eyes (83%). MH remained closed in all 5 eyes at 1 month after surgery. Only gas-retinal interface was obtained in 4 eyes (40%) and unclosed MH was found in 1 of the 4 eyes (25%) at 1 month after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The MH status can be determined using SS-OCT in the early postoperative period even in gas-filled eyes. Confirming early MH closure with SS-OCT can serve as an important guide to significantly shorten the duration of prone positioning while maintaining high closure rates.
Subject(s)
Humans , Membranes , Postoperative Period , Retinal Perforations , Tomography, Optical Coherence , VitrectomyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To analyze the pharmacologic effect of atropine penalization in amblyopic eyes. METHODS: Distant and near visual acuity, near point of accommodation (NPA), and pupil size were measured in the sound eye of 40 children with amblyopia before and after receiving atropine sulfate 1% solution. Amblyopic children were divided into 2 groups according to the time of follow-up visit: 4-days and 7-days after injection; the same tests were performed on all the scheduled follow-up visits. This study included a control group of 20 normal children who received the same test on the initial visit and the scheduled follow-up visits. RESULTS: Visual acuity of the sound eye at distance showed greater decreases in children with 4-day follow-up visits compared with 7-day visits in the amblyopic group (p = 0.24). There was no significant difference in near visual acuity between the amblyopic group and the normal control group by follow-up interval (p = 0.98, p = 0.75). Near point of accommodation significantly increased in the 4-day visit group in both the amblyopic and the normal control groups (p = 0.04 and p = 0.03, respectively), Pupil size was significantly maintained in the 4-day visit, amblyopic group (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Atropine effectively decreased the vision of the sound eye in amblyopic children. However, to maintain the pharmacologic effect, two separate atropine instillations per week (on a weekday and the weekend) should be considered as a treatment for amblyopia.
Subject(s)
Child , Humans , Amblyopia , Atropine , Follow-Up Studies , Pupil , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To present a case of a single isolated cotton-wool spot in a healthy patient. CASE SUMMARY: A 43-year-old woman with no systemic disease complained of sudden inferior field defect of the right eye. On fundoscopic examination of the right eye, a single soft white spot was observed in the superotemporal vascular arcade. An elevated hyper-reflective area in the inner retina corresponding to a white spot was observed on optical coherence tomography. Automated perimetry revealed an arcuate field defect which was wider than the cotton-wool spot. A complete workup for systemic diseases was within normal range except a positive rheumatoid factor. At the 2-week follow-up, the patient's subjective symptom improved and the white spot decreased. After 6 months, the cotton-wool spot disappeared and slit-like retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects corresponding to the location of the cotton-wool spot was noticed. One year later, disc and RNFL defect were unchanged but the previous field defect disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated cotton-wool spots can occur without serious systemic diseases in healthy patients. A single isolated cotton-wool spot in the present case disappeared spontaneously leaving permanent structural damage on the retina over time.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Dental Caries , Eye , Follow-Up Studies , Nerve Fibers , Reference Values , Retina , Retinaldehyde , Rheumatoid Factor , Tomography, Optical Coherence , Visual Field TestsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To present a case of a single isolated cotton-wool spot in a healthy patient. CASE SUMMARY: A 43-year-old woman with no systemic disease complained of sudden inferior field defect of the right eye. On fundoscopic examination of the right eye, a single soft white spot was observed in the superotemporal vascular arcade. An elevated hyper-reflective area in the inner retina corresponding to a white spot was observed on optical coherence tomography. Automated perimetry revealed an arcuate field defect which was wider than the cotton-wool spot. A complete workup for systemic diseases was within normal range except a positive rheumatoid factor. At the 2-week follow-up, the patient's subjective symptom improved and the white spot decreased. After 6 months, the cotton-wool spot disappeared and slit-like retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects corresponding to the location of the cotton-wool spot was noticed. One year later, disc and RNFL defect were unchanged but the previous field defect disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated cotton-wool spots can occur without serious systemic diseases in healthy patients. A single isolated cotton-wool spot in the present case disappeared spontaneously leaving permanent structural damage on the retina over time.