Improvement of the intestinal epithelial barrier during laxative effects of phlorotannin in loperamide‑induced constipation of SD rats / 한국실험동물학회지

Background@#Disruptions of the intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) are frequently observed in various digestive diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study assessed the improvement in the IEB during the laxative activity of phlorotannin (Pt) harvested from Ecklonia cava in constipation by examining the changes in the expression of the regulatory proteins for the tight junction (TJ) and adherens junction (AJ), and inflammatory cytokines in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with loperamide (Lm)-induced constipation after a Pt treatment. @*Results@#The Pt treatment induced laxative activity, including the improvement of feces-related parameters, gastrointestinal transit rate, and histological structure of the mid colon in Lm-treated SD rats. In addition, significant recovery effects were detected in the histology of IEB, including the mucus layer, epithelial cells, and lamina propria in the midcolon of Lm + Pt treated SD rats. The expression levels of E-cadherin and p120-catenin for AJ and the ZO-1, occludin, and Claudin-1 genes for TJ in epithelial cells were improved remarkably after the Pt treatment, but the rate of increase was different. Furthermore, the Pt treatment increased the expression level of several inflammatory cytokines, such asTNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-13, and IL-4 in Lm + Pt treated SD rats. @*Conclusions@#These results provide the first evidence that the laxative activity of Pt in SD rats with Lm-induced constipation phenotypes involve improvements in the IEB.

Two-year Changes in Postoperative Central Macular Thickness and Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Epiretinal Membrane Patients

Purpose@#To evaluate changes in central macular thickness (CMT) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) after phacovitrectomy over a 2-year period in idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) patients. @*Methods@#The records of 52 idiopathic ERM patients (52 eyes) who underwent phacovitrectomy, without recurrence of the condition over a 2-year follow-up period, were reviewed retrospectively. Changes in CMT and SFCT, as measured by optical coherence tomography, were analyzed and compared with those of a normal control group over a 2-year period. @*Results@#The mean preoperative CMT and SFCT were 425.67 ± 84.67 and 257.56 ± 90.13 μm, respectively. Postoperative CMT was reduced significantly to 372.17 ± 45.26 μm at 1 year and 363.15 ± 47.35 μm at 2 years (p < 0.001). SFCT at 1 and 2 years postoperatively was significantly reduced to 238.85 ± 84.85 and 230.31 ± 87.95 μm, respectively (p < 0.001). In the control group, there was no significant change in CMT; however, the SFCT decreased by 11.09 ± 22.36 μm during the 2-year follow-up (p = 0.007). In contrast, in the patient group, CMT and SFCT decreased by 62.52 ± 71.45 and 27.25 ± 41.97 μm, respectively, showing a significant difference from the control group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.043, respectively). Both before surgery and at 1 year postoperatively, the thinner the CMT, the better the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (p = 0.010 and p = 0.018, respectively). A better postoperative BCVA at 2 years was associated with a thinner CMT and better BCVA before surgery (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). @*Conclusions@#Following a phacovitrectomy procedure, ERM patients showed significant reductions in both the CMT and SFCT at the 2-year follow-up.

Comparison of cisplatin-induced anti-tumor response in CT26 syngeneic tumors of three BALB/c substrains / 한국실험동물학회지

Background@#To determine whether the background of BALB/c substrains affects the response to anti-tumor drugs, we measured for alterations in tumor growth, histopathological structure of the tumor, and expressions of tumorrelated proteins in three BALB/c substrains derived from different sources (BALB/cKorl, BALB/cA and BALB/cB), after exposure to varying concentrations of cisplatin (0.1, 1 and 5 mg/kg). @*Results@#Cisplatin treatment induced similar responses for body and organ weights, serum analyzing factors, and blood analyzing factors in all BALB/c substrains with CT26 syngeneic tumor. Few differences were detected in the volume and histopathological structure of the CT26 tumor. Growth inhibition of CT26 tumors after exposure to cisplatin was greater in the BALB/cB substrain than BALB/cKorl and BALB/cA substrains, and a similar pattern was observed in the histopathological structure of tumors. However, the expression levels of other tumor-related factors, including Ki67, p27, p53, Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), caspase-3 (Cas-3), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins, were constantly maintained in the tumors of all three substrains after cisplatin treatment. A similar decrease pattern was observed for the expressions of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-10, in the CT26 tumors of the three BALB/c substrains. @*Conclusions@#Taken together, results of the present study indicate that the genetic background of the three BALB/c substrains has no major effect on the therapeutic responsiveness of cisplatin, except growth and histopathology of the CT26 syngeneic tumor.

Effect of Minoxidil on Trabecular Outflow via the Paracellular Pathway

Purpose@#To investigate the pathway and effects of minoxidil on trabecular outflow in cultured human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. @*Methods@#After exposing primarily cultured TM cells to 0, 10, 50, or 100 µM minoxidil sulfate (MS), trabecular outflow was assessed by measuring TM cell monolayer permeability to carboxyfluorescein and transepithelial electrical resistance. To assess the pathway of permeability changes, caveolin-1, occludin, and claudin-5 levels were measured via western blot. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using the dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay. To assess the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in minoxidil-induced permeability increase, the degrees of endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression and NO production were measured with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Griess assays, respectively. Permeability was also measured with co-exposure to 50 µM N-acetyl cysteine. @*Results@#MS significantly increased TM cell monolayer permeability (p < 0.05) and decreased transepithelial electrical resistance (p < 0.05). MS decreased the degree of endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression but did not affect NO production. MS decreased occludin and claudin-5 levels but did not affect caveolin-1 level. MS at 100 µM increased the generation of ROS, and MS-induced permeability increase was attenuated after co-exposure to 50 µM N-acetyl cysteine. @*Conclusions@#Minoxidil may preferentially increase trabecular permeability via a paracellular pathway by downregulation of tight junction proteins. This minoxidil-induced permeability through the TM may be mediated by generation of ROS.

Analysis of Macular Capillary Plexuses after Cataract Surgery via Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Purpose@#We used optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to evaluate changes in the vessel densities of macular capillary plexuses after cataract surgery. @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective chart review of 24 eyes of 24 cataract patients who underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery from July 2018 to June 2019. The changes in vessel density (VD) in the macular superficial capillary plexus (SCP), the deep capillary plexus (DCP), inside the disc, and in the peripapillary area and foveal avascular zone (FAZ), were analyzed on OCTA images obtained preoperatively and at 1 week, and 1, 3, and 6 months, postoperatively. @*Results@#The VDs of the foveal SCP and DCP increased significantly from 15.42 ± 6.61 and 28.43 ± 7.62% preoperatively to 17.20 ± 6.21 and 30.52 ± 7.06% at 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.001, p = 0.001). The VDs of the parafoveal SCP and DCP increased significantly from 47.28 ± 5.76 and 53.06 ± 3.89% preoperatively to 50.34 ± 5.00 and 53.90 ± 4.20% at 6 months postoperatively (p = 0.002, p = 0.014). The VDs of the perifoveal SCP and DCP increased significantly from 45.20 ± 5.01 and 46.62 ± 5.89% preoperatively to 48.52 ± 4.32 and 50.96 ± 5.57% at 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.001, p = 0.002). The VDs of the area inside the disc, and of the peripapillary area and FAZ, did not change significantly (p = 0.068, 0.332, and 0.206, respectively). @*Conclusions@#After cataract surgery, the VDs of the SCP and DCP increased significantly at 1 week, and 1, 3, and 6 months, postoperatively.

Analysis of Macular Capillary Plexuses after Cataract Surgery via Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Purpose@#We used optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to evaluate changes in the vessel densities of macular capillary plexuses after cataract surgery. @*Methods@#We performed a retrospective chart review of 24 eyes of 24 cataract patients who underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery from July 2018 to June 2019. The changes in vessel density (VD) in the macular superficial capillary plexus (SCP), the deep capillary plexus (DCP), inside the disc, and in the peripapillary area and foveal avascular zone (FAZ), were analyzed on OCTA images obtained preoperatively and at 1 week, and 1, 3, and 6 months, postoperatively. @*Results@#The VDs of the foveal SCP and DCP increased significantly from 15.42 ± 6.61 and 28.43 ± 7.62% preoperatively to 17.20 ± 6.21 and 30.52 ± 7.06% at 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.001, p = 0.001). The VDs of the parafoveal SCP and DCP increased significantly from 47.28 ± 5.76 and 53.06 ± 3.89% preoperatively to 50.34 ± 5.00 and 53.90 ± 4.20% at 6 months postoperatively (p = 0.002, p = 0.014). The VDs of the perifoveal SCP and DCP increased significantly from 45.20 ± 5.01 and 46.62 ± 5.89% preoperatively to 48.52 ± 4.32 and 50.96 ± 5.57% at 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.001, p = 0.002). The VDs of the area inside the disc, and of the peripapillary area and FAZ, did not change significantly (p = 0.068, 0.332, and 0.206, respectively). @*Conclusions@#After cataract surgery, the VDs of the SCP and DCP increased significantly at 1 week, and 1, 3, and 6 months, postoperatively.

Subretinal Fluid Drainage through Original Breaks without Perfluorocarbon Liquid for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of a surgical method using original breaks to drain subretinal fluid without using retinotomy and perfluorocarbon liquid for patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: A retrospective chart review comparing 41 eyes of 41 patients who received vitrectomy, and used original breaks to drain subretinal fluid without using perfluorocarbon liquid, and 40 eyes of 40 patients who received vitrectomy using perfluorocarbon liquid for simple RRD between February 2014 and December 2017 was conducted. All patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: The primary anatomical success percentages were 97.6% and 97.5% for groups that did not and did use perfluorocarbon liquid, respectively. Retinal detachment recurred in one eye from both groups. The final success percentage was 100%. The preoperative mean logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 0.87 ± 0.80 improved to 0.30 ± 0.30 at postoperative 6 months for the group that did not use perfluorocarbon liquid, while it improved from 0.86 ± 0.71 to 0.42 ± 0.52 for the group that did use perfluorocarbon liquid. Both groups showed significant BCVA improvement (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications caused by the use of perfluorocarbon liquid. CONCLUSIONS: Using original breaks to drain subretinal fluid without perfluorocarbon liquid in cases with RRD may be an effective and safe surgical technique for functional and anatomical recovery without serious complications.

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy with Peripapillary Retinoschisis

PURPOSE: To report a case of central serous chorioretinopathy with peripapillary retinoschisis. CASE SUMMARY: A 64-year-old male presented with abnormal color vision of the left eye, which occurred 6 months prior to his visit. At the initial visit, a funduscopic examination revealed retinal elevation with suspected serous retinal detachment around the optic disc in the left eye. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography showed subretinal fluid on the nasal side of the optic disc and retinoschisis on the temporal side of the optic disc in the left eye. Fluorescein angiography revealed multiple leakages in the left eye. Indocyanine green angiography revealed choroidal vascular hyperpermeability in both eyes. Based on these results, the patient was diagnosed with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy and was treated with argon laser photocoagulation at the leakage points. After 8 weeks of laser therapy, optical coherence tomography indicated that there was no retinoschisis or subretinal fluid in the macula, nasal, or temporal sides of the optic disc. CONCLUSIONS: Peripapillary retinoschisis due to central serous chorioretinopathy improves with argon laser photocoagulation at leakage sites.

Identification of predictive biomarkers of peri- and postpartum disorders in dairy cows / 대한수의학회지

We aimed to identify predictive markers of peri- and postpartum disorders in dairy cows. Data regarding peri- and postpartum disorders, serum metabolites, body condition score (BCS), and rectal temperature, were collected from 227 dairy cows, which were allocated to healthy (n = 57) and diseased (n = 170) groups. Serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was higher in diseased than healthy cows 4 weeks before (p < 0.01) and immediately after (p = 0.05) calving. Serum alanine aminotransferase (AST) activity was higher (p < 0.05) in diseased than healthy cows 1 and 2 weeks after calving, whereas total cholesterol (TCH) concentration was lower (p < 0.05–0.0001) in diseased cows 4 weeks before, and after calving. BCS was higher (p < 0.05) in diseased than healthy cows 4 weeks before calving, but lower (p < 0.01) in diseased cows 8 weeks after calving. Rectal temperature was higher (p < 0.05–0.01) in diseased than healthy cows between 2 and 14 days postpartum. In conclusion, high serum NEFA and AST concentrations and lower TCH concentration during the peripartum period, and high prepartum BCS and postpartum rectal temperature, could be used as biomarkers to predict the subsequent development of peri- and postpartum disorders.

Metabolomics approach to serum biomarker for laxative effects of red Liriope platyphylla in loperamide-induced constipation of SD rats / 한국실험동물학회지

Red Liriope platyphylla (RLP) is a known herbal medicine used in the treatment of some chronic diseases including constipation, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes and obesity. To determine and characterize putative biomarkers that predict the laxative effects induced by RLP treatment, alteration of endogenous metabolites was measured in the serum of loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation rats after administration of RLP extract (EtRLP) using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectral data. The urine volume and amounts, and weights and water contents of stools were significantly recovered in the Lop + EtRLP treated group as compared to the No group, whereas body weight and food intake maintained constant levels. Also, significant recoveries in the thickness of mucosa and muscle were detected in the colon of the Lop + EtRLP treated group. Furthermore, pattern recognition showed absolutely different clustering of the serum analysis parameters when comparing the Lop treated group and Lop + EtRLP treated group. Of the 33 endogenous metabolites, 7 amino acids (alanine, arginine, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, threonine and valine) and 8 endogenous metabolites (betaine, creatine, glucose, taurine, ethanol, lactate, glycerol and succinate) were dramatically increased in the Lop + EtRLP treated SD rats. These results provide the first evidence pertaining to metabolic changes in the constipation rats treated with Lop + EtRLP. Additionally, these findings correlate with changes observed in 15 metabolites during the laxative effects of EtRLP.

Identification of predictive biomarkers of peri- and postpartum disorders in dairy cows

We aimed to identify predictive markers of peri- and postpartum disorders in dairy cows. Data regarding peri- and postpartum disorders, serum metabolites, body condition score (BCS), and rectal temperature, were collected from 227 dairy cows, which were allocated to healthy (n = 57) and diseased (n = 170) groups. Serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was higher in diseased than healthy cows 4 weeks before (p < 0.01) and immediately after (p = 0.05) calving. Serum alanine aminotransferase (AST) activity was higher (p < 0.05) in diseased than healthy cows 1 and 2 weeks after calving, whereas total cholesterol (TCH) concentration was lower (p < 0.05–0.0001) in diseased cows 4 weeks before, and after calving. BCS was higher (p < 0.05) in diseased than healthy cows 4 weeks before calving, but lower (p < 0.01) in diseased cows 8 weeks after calving. Rectal temperature was higher (p < 0.05–0.01) in diseased than healthy cows between 2 and 14 days postpartum. In conclusion, high serum NEFA and AST concentrations and lower TCH concentration during the peripartum period, and high prepartum BCS and postpartum rectal temperature, could be used as biomarkers to predict the subsequent development of peri- and postpartum disorders.

Hypercapnia does not shorten emergence time from propofol anesthesia: a pilot randomized clinical study / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The elimination of anesthetic agents is a decisive factor in the emergence from general anesthesia. In this pilot study, we hypothesized that hypercapnia would decrease the emergence time from propofol anesthesia by increasing cardiac output and cerebral blood flow. METHODS: A total of 32 patients were randomly divided into two groups based on the end-tidal carbon dioxide values: 30 mmHg (the hypocapnia group) and 50 mmHg (the hypercapnia group). Propofol and remifentanil were infused to maintain a bispectral index of 40–50. Remifentanil infusion was stopped 10 min before the discontinuation of propofol. After cessation of propofol infusion, ventilation settings in the hypocapnia group were maintained constant; a rebreathing tube was connected to the respiratory circuit in the hypercapnia group. The time to spontaneous respiration, eye opening (primary endpoint), mouth opening, and tracheal extubation was recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Time to eye opening was 9.7 (1.3) min in the hypocapnia group and 9.0 (1.0) min in the hypercapnia group. The difference in the mean times to eye opening between groups was −0.7 min (95% CI, −4.0 to 2.7, P = 0.688). On multiple regression analysis, there was a significant difference in the mean time to eye opening between males and females. Females recovered about 3.6 min faster than males (95% CI, −6.1 to −1.1, P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: We could not detect a beneficial effect of hypercapnia on propofol emergence time. Irrespective of hypercapnia, females seemed to recover faster than males.

Heat Shock Factor 1 Predicts Poor Prognosis of Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) is a key regulator of the heat shock response and plays an important role in various cancers. However, the role of HSF1 in gastric cancer is still unknown. The present study evaluated the function of HSF1 and related mechanisms in gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression levels of HSF1 in normal and gastric cancer tissues were compared using cDNA microarray data from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset. The proliferation of gastric cancer cells was analyzed using the WST assay. Transwell migration and invasion assays were used to evaluate the migration and invasion abilities of gastric cancer cells. Protein levels of HSF1 were analyzed using immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays from patients with gastric cancer. RESULTS: HSF1 expression was significantly higher in gastric cancer tissue than in normal tissue. Knockdown of HSF1 reduced the proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells, while HSF1 overexpression promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Furthermore, HSF1 promoted the proliferation of gastric cancer cells in vivo. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, high levels of HSF1 were associated with poor prognosis for patients with gastric cancer (p=0.028). CONCLUSION: HSF1 may be closely associated with the proliferation and motility of gastric cancer cells and poor prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. Accordingly, HSF1 could serve as a prognostic marker for gastric cancer.

Cytological endometritis in dairy cows: diagnostic threshold, risk factors, and impact on reproductive performance

We determined the threshold proportion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) for a diagnosis of cytological endometritis (CEM), the risk factors for this condition, and its impact on reproductive performance in dairy cows. Uterine cytology was performed on 407 Holstein cows 4 weeks postpartum to determine the proportions of endometrial cells and PMNs. A receiver operator characteristics curve was used to determine the threshold above which the PMN proportion affected the likelihood of cows conceiving by 200 days postpartum. The optimal threshold was ≥ 14% PMN (sensitivity, 31.3%; specificity, 81.7%; p < 0.05). The farm identity, retained placenta (odds ratio [OR] = 1.87), and septicemic metritis (OR = 3.07) were risk factors for CEM (p < 0.05). Cows with CEM were less likely to resume cyclicity (OR = 0.58) and to conceive by 200 days postpartum (hazard ratio = 0.58). Cows with CEM tended (p < 0.1) to be less likely to become pregnant after their first insemination (OR = 0.65) and to require a greater number of inseminations per conception (2.3 vs. 2.2). In conclusion, a PMN threshold of 14% defined the presence of CEM at 4 weeks postpartum. The farm, retained placenta, and septicemic metritis were risk factors for CEM, which reduces subsequent reproductive performance.

Berberine Suppresses Fibronectin Expression through Inhibition of c-Jun Phosphorylation in Breast Cancer Cells / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: The exact mechanism regulating fibronectin (FN) expression in breast cancer cells has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the pharmacological mechanism of berberine (BBR) with respect to FN expression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. METHODS: The clinical significance of FN mRNA expression was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier plotter database (http://kmplot.com/breast). FN mRNA and protein expression levels were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: Using publicly available clinical data, we observed that high FN expression was associated with poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer. FN mRNA and protein expression was increased in TNBC cells compared with non-TNBC cells. As expected, recombinant human FN significantly induced cell spreading and adhesion in MDA-MB231 TNBC cells. We also investigated the regulatory mechanism underlying FN expression. Basal levels of FN mRNA and protein expression were downregulated by a specific activator protein-1 (AP-1) inhibitor, SR11302. Interestingly, FN expression in TNBC cells was dose-dependently decreased by BBR treatment. The level of c-Jun phosphorylation was also decreased by BBR treatment. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that FN expression is regulated via an AP-1–dependent mechanism, and that BBR suppresses FN expression in TNBC cells through inhibition of AP-1 activity.

Enrichment and In Vitro Culture of Spermatogonial Stem Cells from Pre-Pubertal Monkey Testes

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are essential for spermatogenesis throughout the lifespan of the male. However, the rarity of SSCs has raised the need for an efficient selection method, but little is known about culture conditions that stimulate monkey SSC proliferation in vitro. In this study, we report the development of effective enrichment techniques and in vitro culturing of germ cells from pre-pubertal monkey testes. Testis cells were analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting techniques and were transplanted into the testes of nude mice to characterize SSCs. Thy-1-positive cells showed a higher number of colonies than the unselected control after xenotransplantation. Extensive colonization of monkey cells in the mouse testes indicated the presence of highly enriched populations of SSCs in the Thy-1-positive sorted cells. Furthermore, monkey testis cells were enriched by differential plating using extracellular matrix, laminin, and gelatin, and then cultured under various conditions. Isolation of monkey testicular germ cells by differential plating increased germ cell purity by 2.7-fold, following the combinational isolation method using gelatin and laminin. These enriched germ cells actively proliferated under culture conditions involving StemPro medium supplemented with bFGF, GDNF, LIF, and EGF at 37 ℃. These results suggest that the enrichment and in vitro culture method proposed in the present study for harvesting a large number of functionally active monkey SSCs can be applied as the basis for efficient in vitro expansion of human SSCs.

Choroidal Thickness Variation According to Refractive Error Measured by Spectral Domain-optical Coherence Tomography in Korean Children

PURPOSE: To assess choroidal thickness (CT) variation according to refractive errors using enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography. METHODS: Eighty-nine eyes (in 89 children) <±6 diopter were categorized into three groups: hyperopia, emmetropia, and myopia, according to refractive error, and underwent choroidal scans using enhanced-depth imaging-optical coherence tomography. CT was measured at the fovea and at 1 mm and 3 mm nasal (N1 and N3), temporal (T1 and T3), superior (S1 and S3), and inferior (I1 and I3) from the fovea. RESULTS: Mean foveal CTs were 346.86 µm, 301.97 µm, and 267.46 µm in the hyperopia, emmetropia, and myopia groups, respectively (p < 0.05). CTs at N3 and T3 were 214.59 µm and 318.68 µm, 163.92 µm and 320.79 µm, and 153.93 µm and 295.61 µm in the hyperopia, emmetropia, and myopia groups, respectively (p < 0.05). All CTs in the hyperopia group were thicker than those of other groups (p < 0.05). Fovea was thickest and was significantly thicker than at N3 and I3 in hyperopia (p < 0.05). T3 thickness in the emmetropia and myopia groups was greater than thickness at other areas, particularly the nasal and inferior choroids (p < 0.05). CT was positively correlated with spherical equivalent (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: In Korean children, CTs were greater in the hyperopia group than in the emmetropia and myopia groups. The temporal choroid was thicker than the nasal choroid, regardless of the refractive error. The thickest location in the hyperopia group was the fovea; however, the temporal choroid was thickest in the emmetropia and myopia groups.

Comparison of Choroidal Thickness Change between Ranibizumab and Aflibercept in Age-related Macular Degeneration: Six Month Results

PURPOSE: To compare the changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness between intravitreal aflibercept and ranibizumab injection in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Fifty patients with wet AMD patients who were treated with aflibercpet or ranibizumab were evaluated retrospectively. All patients were treated with pro re nata after 3 consecutive monthly injections and were followed up for at least 6 months. We measured subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography before the first injection and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after initial injection. RESULTS: The SFCT measures before initial injection and 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after initial injection were 244.94 ± 103.77 µm, 219.04 ± 95.89 µm, 208.74 ± 91.03 µm, 203.64 ± 91.35 µm, and 226.98 ± 96.79 µm in the aflibercept group (25 eyes) and 222.68 ± 102.04 µm, 210.23 ± 95.91 µm, 203.66 ± 99.39 µm, 197.27 ± 100.25 µm, and 210.32 ± 111.86 µm in the ranibizumab group (28 eyes). Mean change in SFCT was greater in the aflibercept group at 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after initial injection (p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in SFCT was greater after aflibercept injection than ranibizumab injection in 3 consecutive months. However, at 6 months after initial injection, the difference in the change in SFCT was not significant.

Withdrawal: Specific nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity of BT-CAL®, Sigma Anti-bonding Molecule Calcium Carbonate, in mice / 한국실험동물학회지

This article has been retracted.

Changes in Choroidal Thickness after Panretinal Photocoagulation in Diabetic Retinopathy Patients

PURPOSE: To investigate the changes in choroidal thickness in diabetic retinopathy patients after panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). METHODS: This retrospective study included 42 eyes of treatment-naive, severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy or proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients undergoing 3-session PRP. At baseline and 1 and 2 months after completion of the PRP treatments, subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was measured using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The mean SFCT at baseline was 261.52 +/- 77.98 microm, changing to 249.14 +/- 72.23 microm and 242.95 +/- 70.28 microm at 1 and 2 months, respectively (p 10%) in 9 eyes (21.43%) at 1 month and 8 eyes (19.05%) at 2 months after PRP. The mean SFCT showed no significant difference between increased mean CMT (238.22 +/- 57.59 microm and 240.00 +/- 67.71 microm at 1 and 2 months, respectively) and stable mean CMT groups (252.12 +/- 76.24 microm and 243.65 +/- 71.84 microm at 1 and 2 months, respectively; p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal thickness decreased after PRP. There was no significant relationship between change in SFCT and CMT after PRP.