The Effect of 1-Propanol on the Rotational Mobility of n-(9-Anthroyloxy) stearic acid in Outer Monolayers of Neuronal and Model Membranes

The aim of this study was to provide a basis for the molecular mechanism underlying the pharmacological action of ethanol. We studied the effects of 1-propanol on the location of n-(9-anthroyloxy)palmitic acid or stearic acid (n-AS) within the phospholipids of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMV). The SPMV were isolated from the bovine cerebral cortex and liposomes of total lipids (SPMVTL) and phospholipids (SPMVPL). 1-Propanol increased the rotational mobility of inner hydrocarbons, while decreasing the mobility of membrane interface, in native and model membranes. The degree of rotational mobility varied with the number of carbon atoms at positions 16, 12, 9, 6 and 2 in the aliphatic chain of phospholipids in the neuronal and model membranes. The sensitivity of increasing or decreasing rotational mobility of hydrocarbon interior or surface by 1-propanol varied with the neuronal and model membranes in the following order: SPMV, SPMVPL and SPMVTL.

Treatment Outcome of Triple Procedure in Open-Angle Glaucoma and Angle-Closure Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical outcomes of triple procedure in patients with open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. METHODS: The patients who underwent triple procedures for open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma and were followed up for more than 1 year postoperatively were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field mean deviation, refractive error, number of medications, and complications were analyzed. The effect of surgery on IOP reduction and refractive error correction was compared. RESULTS: The IOP at 1 year postoperatively was 13.39 +/- 2.25 mm Hg, 13.41 +/- 2.79 mm Hg (p = 0.981) and IOP reduction was 4.51 +/- 6.35 mm Hg, 9.11 +/- 8.27 mm Hg (p = 0.042) in the open angle glaucoma group and angle closure glaucoma group, respectively. No patient in either group required reoperation due to uncontrolled IOP. The percentage of patients showing postoperative IOP reduction of at least 10% and 20% from baseline IOP was statistically higher in the angle-closure glaucoma group than in the open-angle glaucoma group. Prediction errors were -0.84 +/- 0.88 D and -0.13 +/- 0.65 D in the open-angle glaucoma group and angle-closure glaucoma group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Triple procedure was effective in reducing IOP in both open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma patients. The patients with angle-closure glaucoma showed better results in IOP control and refractive error correction compared with patients with angle-closure glaucoma.

Treatment Outcome of Triple Procedure in Open-Angle Glaucoma and Angle-Closure Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical outcomes of triple procedure in patients with open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. METHODS: The patients who underwent triple procedures for open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma and were followed up for more than 1 year postoperatively were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field mean deviation, refractive error, number of medications, and complications were analyzed. The effect of surgery on IOP reduction and refractive error correction was compared. RESULTS: The IOP at 1 year postoperatively was 13.39 +/- 2.25 mm Hg, 13.41 +/- 2.79 mm Hg (p = 0.981) and IOP reduction was 4.51 +/- 6.35 mm Hg, 9.11 +/- 8.27 mm Hg (p = 0.042) in the open angle glaucoma group and angle closure glaucoma group, respectively. No patient in either group required reoperation due to uncontrolled IOP. The percentage of patients showing postoperative IOP reduction of at least 10% and 20% from baseline IOP was statistically higher in the angle-closure glaucoma group than in the open-angle glaucoma group. Prediction errors were -0.84 +/- 0.88 D and -0.13 +/- 0.65 D in the open-angle glaucoma group and angle-closure glaucoma group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Triple procedure was effective in reducing IOP in both open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma patients. The patients with angle-closure glaucoma showed better results in IOP control and refractive error correction compared with patients with angle-closure glaucoma.

Glaucoma Surgery in Patients with Painful Blind Glaucomatous Eyes

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical outcome of glaucoma surgery performed in patients with painful blind glaucomatous eyes. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective, interventional case series was performed by reviewing the medical records of 74 glaucoma patients (74 eyes) who underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation or trabeculectomy for painful blind eyes from October 2004 to January 2014. Blindness was defined as visual acuity less than hand motion at the time of surgery. Preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), number of anti-glaucoma medications, and presence of pain were compared in the patients grouped according to the type of glaucoma surgery. The glaucoma type, history of previous glaucoma surgery and postoperative failure/complications were also evaluated. RESULTS: AGV implantation was performed in 42 eyes (56.8%) of 42 patients, and trabeculectomy was performed in 32 eyes (43.2%) of 32 patients. The average IOP decreased from 41.73 +/- 11.77 mm Hg before surgery to 14.29 +/- 9.34 mm Hg at five years after the surgery (p < 0.001, paired t-test). The IOP was not significantly different between the groups at any follow-up time point (p = 0.949, linear mixed model). Overall, three patients (4.1%) still experienced eye pain after surgery, IOP greater than 30 mm Hg was observed in eight eyes (10.8%), and additional surgery was required in 11 eyes (14.9%). Evisceration was required in only two eyes (2.7%). Sympathetic ophthalmia was not found in any patient during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Glaucoma surgery including AGV implantation/trabeculectomy was effective and safe even for painful blind eyes. The procedure may be considered as an alternative to enucleation as an initial surgical option for painful blind glaucomatous eyes.

The Intima Media Thickness (IMT) as Measured by Carotid Ultrasonography in Patients with Retinal Vascular Diseases

PURPOSE: To evaluate the findings of carotid ultrasonography performed on patients with retinal vascular disease and to determine the risk of cardiovascular disease and association of retinal vascular disease and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: From December 2009 to May 2012, patients diagnosed with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO, n = 18), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO, n = 23), and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO, n = 68) underwent carotid ultrasonography. We evaluated the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) and the internal carotid artery (ICA), stenosis and the number of plaques, and then compared these results with those of a healthy control group (n = 221). RESULTS: The mean CCA-IMT and ICA-IMT were significantly higher in the CRAO and BRVO groups compared with the control group. On the contralateral side, CCA-IMT was increased in the CRAO, BRVO, and CRVO groups and ICA-IMT was increased in the CRAO and BRVO groups compared with the control group. Contralateral CCA stenosis was higher in the CRVO group (9.1%) and ipsilateral ICA stenosis in CRAO group (21.7%) was significantly higher than that of the control group. Plaque was observed better in all groups compared with the control group. The proportion of patients risk for cardiovascular disease, i.e. those who had IMT thickenesses more than 1.0 mm, was higher in the CRAO and BRVO groups compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The carotid ultrasound findings of patients with retinal vascular diseases showed increased IMT and plaque. The group of patient at risk for cardiovascular disease, which was defined with carotid artery IMT, was higher in patients with retinal vascular disease. Therefore, in patients with retinal vascular disease, carotid artery ultrasonography and the overall management and treatment of cardiovascular disease are necessary.

Surgical Outcome According to Morphology in Epiretinal Membrane Based on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

PURPOSE: To determine the influence of morphologic classification based on optical coherence tomography (OCT) on epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 77 eyes with ERM treated by vitrectomy with ERM peeling. By using OCT, the preoperative ERM was classified into four types: diffuse (DIF), cystoids macular edema (CME), pseudolamellar hole (PLH), and vitreomacular traction (VMT). The postoperative changes of central macular thickness (CMT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were compared. RESULTS: Approximately six months postoperatively, the DIF type had the best BCVA for both idiopathic and secondary ERM, followed by the PLH, CME, and VMT types. On the other hand, regarding the mean BCVA improvement, the VMT type was the best, followed by the DIF, PLH, and CME types. When comparing the difference in BCVA improvement by each type, idiopathic ERM showed a clearer distinction when the inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction was not disrupted. CONCLUSIONS: BCVA improvement was significantly different depending on the morphologic classification of ERM by using OCT. Especially in cases of ERM with an intact IS/OS junction, the morphologic classification can help predict surgical outcomes.

Surgical Outcome and Significance of Silicone Oil Tamponade for Inferior Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

PURPOSE: To compare the surgical outcomes of 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) with silicone oil tamponade versus 20-gauge PPV with sclera buckling (SB) and SF6 gas tamponade for the repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with inferior breaks. In addition, silicone oil tamponade was evaluated as an alternative option for patients with inferior RRD. METHODS: Two different types of surgery were performed on two groups of patients with inferior RRD: 23-gauge TSV with silicone oil tamponade (group 1) and 20-gauge PPV with SB and SF6 gas tamponade (group 2). The preoperative clinical features, anatomical success rate, complications, functional outcomes (visual acuity, VA, intraocular pressure, IOP), and surgical time were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The primary surgical success rates were 94% and 78% in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The final success rate was 100% in both groups. Therefore, in terms of success rate, there was no difference between the two groups. No statistically significant difference in IOP change or complication rate was observed between the two groups. VA change was significantly better and surgical time was shorter in group 1. CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant difference of anatomical success rate or complication rate between 23-gauge TSV with silicone oil tamponade and 20-gauge PPV with SB and SF6 gas tamponade was found for inferior RRD. However, surgical time was shorter in group 1. A 23-gauge TSV with silicone oil tamponade could be an alternative to 20-gauge PPV with SB and SF6 gas tamponade for patients with inferior RRD, especially patients who cannot maintain a prone posture.

A Case of Congenital Idiopathic Microcoria

PURPOSE: To report a case of congenital idiopathic microcoria corrected with pupilloplasty and amblyopia treatment. CASE SUMMARY: A 4-year-old girl was referred for pupillary abnormality of the left eye. Her mother experienced no problems during gestation, and the patient was born at full term. On initial examination, visual acuity was 20/25 in the right eye and counting finger at 50 cm in the left eye. Slit lamp examination revealed that the left pupil was displaced superonasally. A band of fibrous tissue extended across the left pupil and there was no red reflex. There was very slight reaction to mydriatics. Using 23-gauge vitrectomy scissors, a pupilloplasty was performed, and the synechiae are removed. Postoperatively, the pupillary light reflex was brisk, and occlusion therapy was initiated. After 3 months, the visual acuity of the left eye improved to 20/30. CONCLUSIONS: In our case, although microcoria was diagnosed at a relatively old age, the patient's clinical features were consistent with congenital idiopathic microcoria. Therefore, we diagnosed the patient with gradually progressed congenital idiopathic microcoria. In the case of typical congenital idiopathic microcoria, the red-reflex is absent at birth because of the small pupil. However, as in our case, it is possible that the pupil can contract gradually due to movement of the fibrous strand. The point must be considered in such patients.

Cytokeratin Expressions in Normal Nasal Mucosa, Nasal Polyps, Inverted Papilloma, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Tissues / 대한이비인후과학회지

All epithelial cells express more than 2 cytokeratins, and their tissue distribution is determined by cellular types, location, and degree of differentiation. It is known that changes in cytokeratin expression accompany squamous metaplasia of the human nasal epithelium. We analysed cytokeratin expression patterns and their significance in normal nasal mucosae, nasal polyps, inverted papillomas, and maxillary squamous cell carcinomas using immunohistochemical staining with anti-CK4, CK8, CK10, CK13, CK17, CK18, and CK19. Nasal polyp showed the same pattern of cytokeratin expression as that of nasal mucosa. While CK10 expression was present only in the tissue of squamous cell carcinoma, CK18 and CK19 were not expressed. Specimens of Inverted papilloma expressed CK4 and CK13 only in the suprabasal layer, and CK17 in the basal and suprabasal layers. In contrast, normal epithelium expressed CK13 and CK17 only in the basal layer, and CK4 in the basal and suprabasal layers. CK8 and CK18 were less expressed in the specimen of inverted papilloma than in the normal nasal mucosa. The expression patterns of CK10 and CK19 suggest that they may play a role in determinating the malignant change of inverted papilloma and in investigating the pathogenesis of inverted papilloma and maxillary cancer.