Association between endotoxin levels in dust from indoor swine housing environments and the immune responses of pigs

Indoor animal husbandry environments are inevitably contaminated with endotoxins. Endotoxin exposure is associated with various inflammatory illnesses in animals. This cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship between the degree of endotoxin exposure and the cellular and humoral immune profiles of fattening pigs. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of 47 pigs from ten pig farms in Korea. Whole blood cell counts and plasma immunoglobulin (Ig) classes were determined. Peripheral-blood mononuclear cells were stimulated in vitro with concanavalin A for 48 h, and cytokines released into culture supernatants were measured. The barns in which the pigs lived were assessed for endotoxin levels in the total and respirable dust by using the limulus amebocyte lysate kinetic QCL method. Low and high endotoxin exposures were defined as ≤ 30 and > 30 EU/m³, respectively. Compared to pigs with low endotoxin exposure (n = 19), highly exposed pigs (n = 28) had higher circulating neutrophil and lymphocyte (particularly B cells) counts, IgG and IgE levels, interferon-gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin (IL)-4 productions, and lower IgA levels and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) production. The IL-4, IFNγ, and TNFα levels significantly correlated with endotoxin level and/or pig age. Constant exposure of pigs to high levels of airborne endotoxins can lead to aberrant immune profiles.

Inverse Bell's Phenomenon Following Repeated Levator Resection Surgery

PURPOSE: We report a complication involving a transient inversion of Bell's phenomenon observed following extensive levator resection performed to treat aponeurotic ptosis. CASE SUMMARY: A 22 year old female patient complained of ptosis of both eyelid. The levator function of both lid was good, and a normal corneal protection mechanism was observed. The patient underwent levator resection and several reoperation because of asymmetrical lid height and entropion. Inversion of Bell's phenomenon was observed in the postoperative period. Eye with Bell's phenomenon reverted to normal within 1 month after final operation, and there were no corneal erosion. Lubricating eyedrop was used frequently during the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to consider that abnormal cases of Bell's phenomenon sometimes manifest after repetitive and extensive levator resection and to keep a close watch on the cornea while providing it with ample lubrication.

A Case of Charles Bonnet Syndrome After Enucleation

PURPOSE: To report a case of Charles Bonnet syndrome in a patient who developed phantom vision of an enucleated eye. The patient had lost her vision because of a chemical burn 10 years previously. CASE SUMMARY: A 37-year-old woman received enucleation of one eye because ocular pain and phthisis had developed due to a chemical burn that occurred 10 years previously. On the first postoperative day, she complained of phantom vision in the enucleated eye. The image she described was like sparkling bubbles. She had recognized the image was not real, and no psychological problems were found during pre- and postoperative periods. Her wound state was good, so she is currently wearing an artificial eye, though her phantom vision intermittently returns. She has adapted to her phantom vision such that she now rarely feels discomfort. RESULTS: Charles Bonnet syndrome is a visual hallucination that occurs among the blind or those who are visually impaired. Besides ophthalmologic care, sociological and psychological care should be considered.

Clinical Outcomes of Wavefront-Guided Epi-LASIK: 6-Months Follow-up

PURPOSE: We evaluate the clinical outcomes after wavefront-guided (WFG) Epi-LASIK in mild and moderate myopia . METHODS: The uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), manifest refraction, total high order aberrations, contrast sensitivity for day and night vision, and pain score in 114 eyes of 61 patients who had undergone WFG Epi-LASIK were measured preoperatively and at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: At 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 2 months and 6 months postoperatively, UCVA & BCVA had improved significantly. At 1 month postoperatively, the spherical equivalent was -0.93+/-0.74 and showed a stable pattern at 6 months postoperatively. There was no statistically significant difference in total high-order aberration between preoperatively measurements and measurements taken at 6 months postoperative (p=0.745). At a frequency of 19 cpd, night contrast sensitivity showed significant statistical difference (p=0.010) but no difference at low and medium frequencies between preoperative measurements and postoperative six months measurements. Pain subsided at 2 weeks postoperative. All patients maintained clear cornea and suffered no complications. CONCLUSIONS: At 6 months postoperatively, patients who underwent Wavefront-guided Epi-LASIK showed successful results for the correction of moderate myopia and excellent contrast sensitivity at night time. Wavefront-guided Epi-LASIK may solve the visual quality problem after refractive surgery and, therefore, may be clinically useful.

Microscopic Anatomy of the Lower Eyelid in Koreans

PURPOSE: To study the microscopic anatomic relation of capsulopalpebral fascia, orbital septum, and tarsus of the lower eyelid in Korean. METHODS: Foureteen normal Korean lower eyelids from 14 formalin-fixed cadavers (mean age of 66.5 years) were harvested and studied with light microscopy after staining with hematoxylin and eosin. Dimensions of the structures and distances between them was measured by analyzing the digital photographs. RESULTS: There was no fusion of the orbital septum and the capsulopalpebral fascia at the lower border of the tarsal plate in 10 specimens and limited fusion of these tissue in 4 specimens. The average distance from the inferior tarsal border to the first identifiable smooth muscle nuclei of the inferior tarsal muscle was 1.38 mm. The average tarsal plate thickness was 0.98 mm and the average tarsal plate height was 3.96 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The Korean lower lid anatomy differs from that of their non-Asian counter parts. Furthermore, there was a difference in tarsal plate thickness in comparison to Chinese lower lids. There was no consistent fusion between the capsulopalpebral fascia and the orbital septum. No extension of the capsulopalpebral fascia to the skin was observed.