Anterior Chamber and Lens Position before and after Phacoemulsification According to Axial Length

PURPOSE: In this study, we evaluated changes in the anterior chamber structure and lens position before and after phacoemulsification in eyes grouped by axial length (AL).METHODS: This study included 65 eyes (16 short eyes [AL < 22.5 mm], 33 normal eyes [22.5 mm < AL < 25.0 mm], and 16 long eyes [AL > 25.5 mm]) that underwent cataract surgery. Pre- and postoperative anterior chamber depth (ACD) was measured using Pentacam® and IOL Master®,. In addition, we evaluated the anterior chamber angle (ACA), anterior chamber volume (ACV), epithelium-iris distance, and iris-lens (intraocular lens [IOL]) distance.RESULTS: The change in ACD was significantly smaller in long eyes (Pentacam®,, p = 0.000; IOL Master®,, p = 0.001). The change in ACA was significantly larger in short eyes (p = 0.000), and the change in ACV was significantly smaller in long eyes (p = 0.000). The change in the epithelium–iris distance was significantly smaller in long eyes (p = 0.000), and the change in the iris-lens (IOL) distance was significantly smaller in short eyes (p = 0.000).CONCLUSIONS: In short eyes, changes in ACD, ACA, and ACV were found to be larger than those of other groups as the iris moved backward. In long eyes, greater backward movement of the IOL was observed. Therefore, the appropriate IOL power should be chosen, considering the postoperative position of the IOL during cataract surgery of short and long eyes.

Associations between Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Defect and Systemic Indices According to the KNHNES 2010–2012

PURPOSE: To investigate the associations between retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects and systemic factors in the Korean population. METHODS: Based on data from the 5th Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (2010–2012), 2,999 non-glaucomatous patients and 424 glaucoma patients were included. We compared body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and blood test values according to the presence and location of RNFL defects in the groups and analyzed whether these defects were associated with various underlying diseases. RESULTS: In the non-glaucomatous group, RNFL defects were significantly and linearly related with BMI (p = 0.035), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.018), fasting blood glucose (p < 0.001), HbA1c (p < 0.001), serum ferritin (p = 0.008), and RNFL defects were also significantly associated with diabetes mellitus (p = 0.001), hypertension (p < 0.001), dyslipidemia (p = 0.003), a history of myocardial infarction or angina (p = 0.037), and migraines (p = 0.004). In the glaucoma group, patients who had superior RNFL defects had a significantly lower systolic blood pressure (p = 0.034) than patients who had inferior RNFL defects. The other systemic indices did not differ significantly between these two subgroups. Superior RNFL defects were significantly associated with diabetes mellitus (p = 0.047) and a history of cerebrovascular accident (p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: RNFL defects in both the non-glaucomatous and glaucoma groups were associated with systemic factors. We could identify that the possibility of RNFL defects can be deduced from these systemic abnormalities and active treatment is needed in abnormal systemic condition.

No Association between 5-HTTLPR and Harm Avoidance in Korean College Students

There have been numerous studies on the association between 5-HTTLPR (polymorphisms in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene) and anxietyrelated personality traits, with conflicting results. In this study, we administered Korean version of the Temperament and Character Inventory (K-TCI) to a sample of 158 Korean college students and genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR in order to compare the TCI dimensional scores including harm avoidance according to the 5-HTTLPR genotype and sex. We could not find the association between 5-HTTLPR and harm avoidance and other TCI measures. Considering known allele frequencies differences of 5-HTTLPR among different ethnic groups, further cross-cultural studies with a larger sample would be needed.

Clinical Characteristics of Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase Producing Shigella sonnei Infection Outbreaked in Chungju Area / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: An outbreak of extended-spectrum-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Shigella sonnei enteritis, especially in pediatric populations, was unprecedented not only in Korea, but also throughout the world in the past. This study was intended to devise a management guideline for shigellosis caused by an ESBL-producing strain based on analysis of the clinical manifestations and response to therapy. METHODS: We examined 24 strains of S. sonnei isolated from stool cultures of patients with acute enteritis, between November 2004 and February 2005, for antimicrobial susceptibility and ESBL production, and we also performed DNA sequencing with PCR for the typing of ESBL genes. In addition, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics, laboratory results, and therapeutic responses to antibiotics of the 103 patients who grew S. sonnei on stool cultures. RESULTS: All 24 isolates showed a very similar antibiotic sensitivity pattern and were ESBL gene type of CTX-M-14. The most frequent clinical symptom in the 103 patients was a fever, followed by diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, vomiting, and nausea. Leukocytosis and CRP were positive in 53.4% and 78.6% of the patients, respectively. On stool direct smears, 11.7% showed more than 50 WBCs per HPF and 71% were positive on stool occult blood. Microbiological eradication rates were as follows: azithromycin and ciprofloxacin, 100%; imipenem-cilastatin, 68.8%; ampicillin-sulbactam, 42.9%; amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, 20%; ceftizoxime, 12.5%; cefdinir, 6.9%; and ceftriaxone and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 0%. CONCLUSIONS: We presumed that, given its cost-effectiveness and safety, azithromycin can be an attractive option for the treatment of ESBL-producing S. sonnei enteritis in pediatric populations. Although ciprofloxacin is another cost-effective agent, its use in pediatric populations is not recommended.

Low Dose Olanzapine Induced Tardive Dyskinesia: A Case Report / 대한정신약물학회지

Olanzapine is known to induce extrapyramydal symptom and tardive dysknesia less than typical antipsychotics. However, there are accumulating reports of tardive dyskinesia induced by olanzapine. We experienced a patient with schizophrenia who demonstrated tardive dyskinesia following treatment with low dose olanzapine. This case suggests that even patients with low dose olanzapine are exposed to the risk of tardive dyskinesia.

Association between Schizophrenia and the Genetic Polymorphism of DRD3, DRD4 and HTR2A / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: Dopamine and serotonin receptors are candidate genes for the genetic study of schizophrenia because of their implication in the pathophysiology and etiology of schizophrenia (serotonine- dopamin hypothesis). A population-based association study was performed between schizophrenics and normal controls to identify the susceptibility genes. METHODS: A total of 145 schizophrenics and 242 normal controls were recruited. Ser9Gly polymorphism of DRD3, 12 bp repeat of DRD4, and 102T/C of HTR2A were selected as candidate polymorphism. The molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism and PCR-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used. Chi-square analysis was performed to find any differences between two groups and logistic linear regression was tested to evaluate the interaction between three genes. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in allele frequencies and genotype frequencies of the three genetic polymorphism. Stratified by sex, the difference of DRD4 allele (P=0.065) and HTR2A allele (P=0.083) and genotype (P=0.054) was observed between male patients and controls; also noted was the difference of HTR2A genotype (P=0.080) between female patients and controls. Stratified by age of onset, the difference in the linear trend of DRD3 between early-onset patients and normal control (P=0.003) was observed. Stratified by family history, the difference in the linear trend of DRD4 (P=0.008) was also observed. Logistic linear regression with 90 patients who had early-onset phenotype (< or =20 year-old) or family history showed a significant result in interaction term (P=0.053). CONCLUSIONS: The finding that there were significant results only after stratification may imply a different genetic load on each subgroup of the disease. The interaction of genes between DRD3, DRD4, and HTR2A in a subgroup with supposedly high genetic background may support the serotonindopamine hypothesis. This, however, should be verified hereafter in large-scale studies.