The Effects of Social Participation Attitude, Social Support, and Empowerment on Ageism Experience in the Elderly Using Welfare Centers

Purpose@#This study was conducted to investigate the factors affecting the discrimination of the elderly using welfare centers. @*Methods@#A cross-sectional study was conducted with 217 elderly people from a welfare center in D city. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire survey consisting of ageism experience, social participation attitude, social support, and empowerment. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression were performed using SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. @*Results@#As a result of analyzing the correlations among the variables, the discrimination experience of the elderly showed negative correlations in social participation attitude and child relationship support. The factors affecting the discrimination experience of the elderly include gender, job, smartphone use, and child relationship support had a significant effect. The explanatory power of the discrimination experience of these factors was 15.4%. @*Conclusion@#This study found that gender, job, social support, and smartphone use were factors influencing the discrimination experience of the elderly. It is hoped that public relations and policy measures should be considered.

The Effects of Social Participation Attitude, Social Support, and Empowerment on Ageism Experience in the Elderly Using Welfare Centers

Purpose@#This study was conducted to investigate the factors affecting the discrimination of the elderly using welfare centers. @*Methods@#A cross-sectional study was conducted with 217 elderly people from a welfare center in D city. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire survey consisting of ageism experience, social participation attitude, social support, and empowerment. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression were performed using SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. @*Results@#As a result of analyzing the correlations among the variables, the discrimination experience of the elderly showed negative correlations in social participation attitude and child relationship support. The factors affecting the discrimination experience of the elderly include gender, job, smartphone use, and child relationship support had a significant effect. The explanatory power of the discrimination experience of these factors was 15.4%. @*Conclusion@#This study found that gender, job, social support, and smartphone use were factors influencing the discrimination experience of the elderly. It is hoped that public relations and policy measures should be considered.

Dexmedetomidine Preconditioning Attenuates Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity in Zebrafish

OBJECTIVES: Utilisation of high-frequency drills is known to increase noise induced hearing loss due to increasing the damages of inner ear cells. This study aimed to investigate whether preconditioning by using dexmedetomidine (DEX) decreased the occurrence of ischemia in inner cells of the ear. METHODS: We utilised a transgenic zebrafish line Brn3C, and the embryos were collected from breeding adult zebrafish. Five-day-old larvae were cultured at the density of 50 embryos, and the larvae were classified into 4 groups: control, cisplatin group, DEX group, and DEX+yohimbine; adrenoreceptor blocker group. The DEX group was categorised into 3 subgroups by dosage; 0.1, 1, and 10 microM. Preconditioning was performed for 150 minutes and then exposed to cisplatin for 6 hours. The experiment was performed in 7 replicates for each group and the number of hair cells in 3 parts of the neuromasts of each fish was determined. RESULTS: Hair cell apoptosis by cisplatin was attenuated more significantly in the DEX preconditioning group than in the control group. However, the preconditioning effects were not blocked by yohimbine. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that hearing loss caused by vibration-induced noise could be reduced by using DEX and may occur through other mechanisms rather than adreno-receptors.

Recurrent Herpes Simplex Keratitis After Penetrating Keratoplasty

PURPOSE:To analyze the clinical aspects and risk factors for recurrent herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). METHODS: Records from 78 eyes of 41 patients who underwent PKP for HSV keratitis with a mean follow-up duration of 31.83+/-21.35 months (24~97 months) were reviewed. The clinical aspects of recurrent keratitis, rejection, and survival rate were evaluated. Previous operation history, preoperative inflammation and neovascularization, graft size, suture methods, and antiviral use were analyzed to elucidate the risk factor for recurrent HSK after PKP. RESULTS: HSK recurred in 47.4% of the patients at a mean time of 18.36+/-21.02 months after PKP. The mean duration of keratitis was 2.16+/-1.71 months and the mean frequency of recurrence was 1.41+/-0.69 times. Epithelial keratitis developed in 46.2% of the patients, and epithelial keratitis combined with stromal inflammation developed in 36.5%. Previous graft failure due to recurrent HSK and preoperative inflammation were significant risk factors for recurrent HSK after PKP (p=0.019, p=0.006). There were no statistically significant differences in graft rejection and survival rate between the two groups with and without recurrent HSK. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of cases of recurrent HSK after PKP were epithelial keratitis or epithelial keratitis combined with stromal inflammation, and risk factors for the recurrence of HSK were previous graft failure due to recurrent HSK and preoperative inflammation.

Long-term Follow-up Results of Partially Accommodative Esotropia After Near Geared Standard Surgery

PURPOSE: To analyze the long-term outcome of near geared standard surgery with full hyperopic correction for partially accommodative esotropia. METHODS: The medical records of a total of 24 patients with partially accommodative esotorpia, who had undergone bilateral or unilateral medial rectus recession were retrospectively reviewed. The amount of medial rectus recession was measured based on the near deviation after full hyperopic correction. During the follow-up period the changes of refractive error and angle of deviation were evaluated, and the titmus test and Worth 4-Dot test were performed. RESULTS: The mean ages were 36.63+/-13.38 months (14~59 months) at the time of wearing glasses and 61.25+/-25.55 months (25~132 months) at the time of operation. The average follow-up period was 59.67+/-32.12 months (18~120 months) and preoperative refractive errors were +3.93+/-1.73 D sph and refractive errors at final visit were +3.64+/-2.07 D sph (P=0.53). The mean amount of esodeviation were 26.08+/-8.13PD and 4.25+/-6.63PD for pre- and post-operatively respectively. Nineteen patients showed postoperative deviation of 10PD or less, one patient was overcorrected, and four patients were undercorrected. Worth 4-Dot test resulted in a fusion response at near and far in one patient preoperatively and in 17 patients postoperatively (P=0.30). A titmus stereotest of less than 100 seconds of arc resulted in 1 of 7 patients and 6 of 14 patients at the time of preoperation and postoperation each (P=0.34). The results were not statistically significant. Four of ten high hyperopic patients (> or = +4.00 diopter) had under- or over-correction (P=0.12), though it was not statistically significant. There were no significant differences in combined conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Near geared standard surgery with full hyperopic correction in partially accommodative esotropia patients gave a good surgical result for patients in the mean follow-up duration of 59.67 months.

Effect of Tectonic Penetrating Keratoplasty for Impending Perforation Due to Infectious Corneal Ulcer

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of tectonic penetrating keratoplasty for the treatment of impending perforations caused by infectious corneal ulcers. METHODS: We analyzed preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, lesion location and size, graft size, postoperative outcome, and complications in 19 patients (19 eyes) with impending perforations due to infectious corneal ulcers. All patients underwent tectonic penetrating keratoplasty and had a minimum follow-up period of 6 months. RESULTS: In our study, eight eyes (42.1%) had herpes simplex keratitis, 6 eyes (31.6%) had bacterial keratitis, and 5 eyes (26.3%) had fungal keratitis. Twelve eyes had a lesion located in the central cornea, while 7 eyes had a lesion located in the paracentral cornea. Visual acuity improved in 13 eyes (68.4%) and anatomical success was achieved in 16 eyes (84.2%). Three eyes (15.8%) developed a graft melting secondary to rejection. Complications included bullous keratopathy (3 eyes, 15.8%), graft infection (3 eyes, 15.8%), neovascularization (2 eyes, 10.5%), and secondary glaucoma (1 eye, 5.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Tectonic penetrating keratoplasty maintains ocular integrity and effectively treats impending perforations caused by infectious corneal ulcers.

Combined Phototherapeutic Keratectomy and Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in the Treatment of Salzmann's Nodular Degeneration

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) combined with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) in patients with symptomatic Salzmann's nodular degeneration. METHODS: Eight eyes of 8 patients who underwent PTK and AMT for Salzmann's nodular degeneration with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months were included. Changes of vision, refraction and symptom, postoperative corneal status, recurrence, and postoperative complication were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Postoperative visual acuity improved more than 2 lines in 6 eyes (75.0%) and was unchanged in 2 eyes (25.0%). The mean myopic shift was 0.83 D. Symptoms improved and cosmetic results were good in all patients. Four patients (50.0) had complete resolution of symptoms. No recurrence of the nodule or postoperative complication was detected during a mean follow-up of 19.12+/-8.20 months. CONCLUSIONS: Combined PTK and AMT is a effective and safe method for treating and preventing the recurrence of symptomatic Salzmann's nodular degeneration.

The Use of Fibrin Glue for Conjunctival Autotransplantation in Pterygium

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of fibrin glue for conjunctival autotransplantation in pterygium. METHODS: Forty eyes of 32 patients who underwent conjunctival autotransplantation for primary pterygium with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months were included. Postopertive pain, foreign body sensation, tearing, subconjunctival hemorrhage, surgery time, complication, and recurrence were evaluated prospectively in 20 eyes of 15 patients undergoing surgery with fibrin glue, and in 20 eyes of 17 patients undergoing surgery with sutures. RESULTS: One day postoperative, the scores of pain (P<0.01), foreign body sensation (P<0.01), tearing (P<0.01), and subconjunctival hemorrhage (P=0.01) were significantly lower in the fibrin glue group than in the suture group. One week postoperative, the scores of foreign body sensation (P=0.01) and tearing (P=0.01) were significantly lower in the fibrin glue group than in the suture group. Mean surgery time in the fibrin glue group (18 8 minutes) was significantly shorter than in the sutures group (32 11 minutes) (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the recurrence rates of the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Use of fibrin glue for conjunctival autotransplantation in pterygium can reduce postoperative discomfort and required surgical time.

Therapeutic Effect of Umbilical Cord Serum Eyedrops for Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defect

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of umbilical cord serum in the treatment of persistent epithelial defect of the cornea. METHODS: Fourteen eyes of 14 patients with persistent epithelial defect that had persisted for at least 2 weeks despite conventional treatment were treated with 20% umbilical cord serum eyedrops six times a day. The images of the epithelial defects were captured using a camera attached to a slit lamp biomicroscope and the areas of the epithelial defects were calculated. Treatment was considered effective for epithelial defect healing within 2 weeks, partially effective for healing within 2 to 4 weeks, and ineffective for healing requiring either more than 1 month or additional measures. RESULTS: Mean duration of epithelial defect before treatment was 7.2+/-6.3 weeks, and mean area was 7.86+/-7.32 mm2. Umbilical cord serum therapy was effective in 6 eyes (42.9%), partially effective in 6 (42.9%), and ineffective in 2 (14.2%). Nevertheless, the epithelial defects in both the ineffective eyes were eventually healed within 8 weeks. Mean healing time in effective or partially effective cases was 2.75+/-1.06 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The use of umbilical cord serum eyedrops for the treatment of persistent epithelial defect is effective.