The Similarity of Biomarkers Level between Direct Nasal Fluid and Nasal Lavage Fluid in Allergic Rhinitis Patients

Background and Objectives@#Biomarkers of allergic rhinitis (AR) have been studied; however, little is known regarding their practical application in the diagnosis of AR. Previous studies collected samples using saline lavage, nasal brushing, or nasal biopsy. To utilize nasal fluid as a diagnostic tool, we need to standardize the method of sample collection. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the difference in concentration of biomarkers depending on the method of nasal fluid collection.Materials and Method: Forty-five AR patients who had greater than moderate AR symptoms and who had positive results on skin prick test and serum-specific IgE tests were enrolled in this study. Nasal fluid was collected using the direct method or saline lavage method. The concentration of each biomarker was analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the values compared. @*Results@#Nasal fluid samples were collected directly from 14 patients and were collected via saline lavage in 31 patients. No significant differences were found in the median value of each biomarker between the two methods of nasal sample collection. @*Conclusion@#Nasal fluid collection method does not significantly affect biomarker concentration.

The Similarity of Biomarkers Level between Direct Nasal Fluid and Nasal Lavage Fluid in Allergic Rhinitis Patients

Background and Objectives@#Biomarkers of allergic rhinitis (AR) have been studied; however, little is known regarding their practical application in the diagnosis of AR. Previous studies collected samples using saline lavage, nasal brushing, or nasal biopsy. To utilize nasal fluid as a diagnostic tool, we need to standardize the method of sample collection. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the difference in concentration of biomarkers depending on the method of nasal fluid collection.Materials and Method: Forty-five AR patients who had greater than moderate AR symptoms and who had positive results on skin prick test and serum-specific IgE tests were enrolled in this study. Nasal fluid was collected using the direct method or saline lavage method. The concentration of each biomarker was analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the values compared. @*Results@#Nasal fluid samples were collected directly from 14 patients and were collected via saline lavage in 31 patients. No significant differences were found in the median value of each biomarker between the two methods of nasal sample collection. @*Conclusion@#Nasal fluid collection method does not significantly affect biomarker concentration.

Suppression of VEGF by Aminoguanidine in RPE Cells Cultured in the Hyperglycemic Condition

PURPOSE: We evaluated whether aminoguanidine could inhibit VEGF mRNA expression in the retinal pigment epithelial cells cultured at various glucose concentrations. METHODS: Human retinal pigment epithelial cells were cultured in the culture media containing 5.5 mM, or 11 mM, or 16 mM glucose for 5 days, or 7 days, or 14 days respectively. To evaluate an inhibitory effect of aminoguanidine on VEGF mRNA expression, 1 micro M, or 3 micro M, or 10 micro M aminoguanidine was added in the culture media. The VEGF mRNA expression was assayed by northern blot analysis. RESULTS: The VEGF mRNA expression of the cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells increased proportionally with media glucose concentration in culture media. At each glucose concentration of the media, VEGF mRNA expression increased with a prolongation of incubation period. An aminoguanidine inhibited the expression of VEGF mRNA by concentration-dependent manner in 5 day and 7 day incubation, but not in 14 day incubation. CONCLUSIONS: The aminoguanidine could inhibit a new vessel formation in the diabetic retina, and be useful for therapeutic or preventive drug in the diabetic retinopathy.

Therapeutic Effect of Amniotic Membrane Extract on Keratitis Following Corneal Alkali Burn

PURPOSE: Amniotic membrane (AM) contains various proteinase inhibitors and when used as a graft, it could enhance healing process by blocking insult of inflammatory cells and inhibiting proteolytic damage. Thus we evaluated whether applying of amniotic membrane extract as eyedrops could get the same effect as amniotic membrane patching. METHODS: Alkali wounds were inflicted on the central corneas of rabbits by applying a round filter paper, 6.0 mm in diameter, soaked in 1N NaOH for 30 seconds. A total of 16 rabbits were divided into four groups: (1) applied with amniotic membrane extract; (2) applied with amniotic membrane extract and Healon(R); (3) applied with methylcellulose; and (4) control. Each material was applied for 1 week. During follow-ups, epithelial defects, corneal thickness and its opacity were measured. RESULTS: The epithelial healing was faster and the corneal thickness was thinner in amniotic membrane extract applied groups than in non-applied. Corneal opacity was much less in AM extract applied groups. CONCLUSIONS: AM extract as eyedrops promotes wound healing and it could be an effective method for treating various keratitis due to its convenience and good effect.

Periodic Biometry in Three Types of Posteriorly Implanted IOLs: PMMA, Silicone, and Acrylic Soft, by EAS-1000 Scheimpflug Photography

To compare any differences in the periodic biometric values (decentration, tilt and anterior chamber depth)and corrected visual acuity among PMMA, silicone, and acrylic IOLs, a total of 137 cataractous eyes of 108 patients undergoing IOL implant surgery were divided into 3 groups based on the type of IOL :group A -65 eyes of PMMA IOL (MZ60BD), group B -47 eyes of silicone IOL (SI30NB), and group C -25 eyes of Acrysof IOL (MA60BM). The biometric analyses of all study groups were quantified using EAS-1000 Scheimpflug camera.All eyes underwent EAS-1000 examination at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery.Also best corrected visual acuity was examined at 1, 3, and 6 months.The anterior chamber increased at 1 month after surgery and no statistical differences were found among the three groups. Furthermore, the differences regarding both the position of the IOLs (decentration and tilting)and the final corrected visual acuity of three groups throughout the observation period were not statistically significant. In conclusion, as long as proper capsulorhexis was performed and the IOLs were placed accurately in the healthy capsular bags, changes of anterior chamber depth, decentration, tilt and corrected visual acuity were all found to be almost similar among any of the three IOL types.

Current Trends in Cataract and Refractive Surgery in Korea-1998 Survey for KSCRS Members

Cataract and refractive surgical procedures are now among the most common and successful surgeries in medicine. A clear understanding of the current situation and future trends in these fields has become increasingly important. Since 1995, we have annually surveyed the members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery(KSCRS)on cataract surgery technique, anesthesia, intraocular lens and refractive surgery. 4th annual survey forms consisted of 73 multiple-choice questions mailed in February 1999 to 176 ophthalmologists of the KSCRS. Approximately 47% of the sent out questionnaires were returned by the March cutoff date. Current data were compared with previous annual survey and data from Japan and USA. Hospitalized period is decreased annually and use of topical anesthesia(42%) increased greatly. Self sealing wound construction was the main wound closure technique in phacoemulsification accounted for 73%. Most preferred intraocular lenses for small incision cataract surgery are silicone(47%), PMMA(38%)and acrylic(15%). Viscoelastics(33%)produced by Korean medical company becomes widely used compared with previous year. Sixty eight percent of the respondents were performing excimer laser keratotomy for refractive surgery. Most preferred diopter for differentiation PRK from LASIK was 5 diopter. From this survey, we found current trend and change in cataract and refractive surgery in Korea are similar to those of Japan and USA.

`97 Survey of Korean society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Members

Cataract and refractive surgical procedures are now among the most common and successful in medicine. A clear understanding of the current situation and future trends in these fields has become increasingly important. Since 1995, we have annually surveyed the members of the Korean Society of Cataract and Refractive surgery(KSCRS) about cataract surgery technique, anesthesia, intraocular lens and refractive surgery. Third annual survey forms consisted of 71 multiple-choice questions were mailed in January 1998 to 180 ophthalmologist members of the KSCRS. Approximately 44% of the questionnaires mailed were returned by the February cutoff date. Current data were compared with data in previous annual survey. Over half of the respondents(52%) were in forties. Most of the cataract operation(83%) was carried out on hospitalized patients. Use of a retrobulbar with akinesia for cataract was 49%, and use of topical anesthesia increased from 5% in 1995 to 17% in 1996. Eight-one percent of surgeons used phacoemulsification for more than half of their patients. Selfsealing wound construction was main wound closure technique in phacoemulsification for 44%. The type of intraocular lens used for small incision cataract surgery included silicone(64%), small round PMMA(polymethyl methacrylate, 21%), and acrylic(11%). Sixty-three percent of surgery. From the answers to the survey, we found current trend and these results are valuable information to all ophthalmologists.