Descriptions of Two Digenean Trematodes Found from a Chinese Sea Snake, Laticauda semifasciata, in Republic of Korea

We intended to describe 2 digenean trematodes found from a Chinese sea snake, Laticauda semifasciata, as the new fauna in the Republic of Korea. The snake was caught offshore of Aewol-eup, Jeju-do, in August 2017. Two species of fluke were found in the lung and intestinal tract of the snake in the process of necropsy. They were identified as Pulmovermis cyanovitellosus Coil and Kuntz, 1960 and Harmotrema laticaudae Yamaguti, 1933, respectively based on the morphological characters. Pulmovermis cyanovitellosus showed elongated body with well-developed and elongated male genital system and compact vitelline. And H. laticaudae was characterized by linguiform body with heavily armed cirrus with excretory system. This is the first time both species have been reported and described off the Korean coast. We provide morphological descriptions with some comments on their biology and geographical distribution. In addition, the taxonomic validity of the genus Hydrophitrema Sandars, 1960 was discussed, in terms of morphological descriptions and host ranges. This study provides novel insight into digenean fluke species existing off the coast of Korea.

Seohan Computerized Hue Test 1: The Development of Computerized Color Vision Test and Pilot Study

Several tests have been used for assessing color vision but most of them are nonspecific, expensive, complicated or too time consuming to perform. We have developed a new computerized color vision test named Seohan computerized 85-hue test[SCHT/85]that has many advantages compared to Farnsworth Munsell[FM]100-hue test.SCHT/85 has 85 color caps which can be displayed based on a model of FM 100-hue test using Multimedia toolbook 4.0.Selected color caps in the lower random area can be moved and inserted to the upper result area by a mouse.At the end of the test, error scores and ring graph can be displayed in monitor and can be also printed out. Total 15 subjects performed with SCHT/85 and FM 100-hue test twice who have been showed 10 normal and 5 abnormal color vision reported with other color vision tests and the results of two tests were analysed to compare the total error scores[TES]and reproducibility. All ten normal subjects showed lower TES in SCHT/85 than FM 100-hue test and the mean TES were 31.5 and 43.6 with SCHT/85 and FM 100-hue test.The coefficients of variation [CV]were 4.3%and 22.7%with SCHT/85 and FM 100-hue test.The two tests were highly correlated[r=0.92].Five abnormal subjects showed higher TES in SCHT/85 than FM 100-hue test and the mean TES were 169.8 and 157.3 with SCHT/85 and FM 100-hue test.The coefficients of variation were 9.1%and 21.2%with SCHT/85 and FM 100-hue test.These two tests were also highly correlated[r=0.965]. In conclusion, SCHT/85 which was newly developed by authors is a highly useful test for color vision.

The Effect of Intravitreal Injection of Retinoic Acid on Experimentally Induced Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy using Human Retinal Prgment Epithelium in Rabbits

The retinoic acid have been demonstrated to modulate the growth and differentiation of several cell types including retinal pigment epithelium.We evaluated the effect of intravitreal infection of retinoic acid on experimentally induced PVR using human retinal pigment epithelium in the rabbit. 35 eyes of rabbit were induced PVR by injecting of human retinal pigment epithelial cells and were divided into three groups; Control group, group 1(retinoic acid 0.05mg/0.1ml DMSO was injected) and group 2(retinoic acid 0.1mg/0.1ml DMSO was injected). The stages of PVR were observed on days 3, 7, 14 and 28. The mean PVR stage progressed in all three groups. The PVR stage in control group is lower than other groups on days 3 and the PVR stage in group 3 is higher than other groups on days 28. In conclusions, intravitreal injected retinoic acid cannot inhibit PVR proliferation on 0.05 and mg/0.1ml concentration and it had toxic effect on retina in 0.1mg/0.1ml concentration. This results may present the lower limit of concentration to use retinoic acid intravitreously.

The Effect of Laser in Situ Keratomileusis to Correct Refractive Errors

We evaluated the effect of laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK) to correct refractive errors in myopic patients. We performed LASIK using microkera-tome(SCMD, U.S.A.) an excimer laser (Aesculap Meditec, Germany). Five hundred eighty eyes of three hundred ninty-seven patients underwent LASIK from March 1996 to February 1997. Of 580 eyes, 140 eyes(male 49, female 99 eyes) of 90 patients with minimum follow-up of 6 months were included in this study. They aged from 20 to 63 and among them, simultaneous binocular surgeries were carried out in 38 patients(48%). Topical antibiotics and steroid were instilled for 1 week postoperatively. Preoperative refractive errors ranged from -24.00 to -2.13D (mean -9.17D) and postoperative refractive errors at 6 months ranged from -9.25 to +3.13D (mean -1.70D). The amount of corrected refractive errors ranged from 17.50 to 1.75D(mean 9.17D). Uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA) was hand motion to 0.5 preoperatively and 0.04 to 1.0 at 6 months postoperatively. There was no decreased UCVA postoperatively. Myopia over -1D occured in 79 eyes (56.4%). Among them, 20 eyes (14.3%) underwent enhancements. Seventy-eight percent of cases including enhancements showed UCVA of 0.5 or better at 6 months. LASIK is effective refractive surgery with relatively few complications.

The Evaluation of Noncycloplegic and Cycloplegic Autorefraction in Children According to the Age

We analysed the difference of values between noncycloplegic and cycloplegic autorefractionand refraction by ophthalmologist in children. We classified the 109 children [218 eyes] who did not have strabismus or amblyopia into five groups according to the age. Their age ranged from 3 to 12. They were examined with Canon RK-3 autorefractor before and after cycloplegia and then, cycloplegic and post-cycloplegic refraction were performed by ophthalmologist. Discrepancies beyond 0.5D in spherical and cylindrical power and 10 degree in cylindrical axis were regarded as significant. The percentages of discrepancy were greater in spherical power between noncycloplegic autorefraction and refraction by ophthalmologist especially in young age groups[p<0.05]. The percentages of discrepancy were greater in spherical and cylindrical power between cycloplegic autorefraction and refraction by ophthalmologist especially in young age groups[p<0.05]. The percentages of discrepancy of cycloplegic autorefraction showed a tendency to be greater than those of noncycloplegic autorefraction in spherical power as compared with refraction by ophthalmologist. In conclusion, the refractive measurements of cycloplegic autorefractor is not close to those of refraction by ophthalmologist in children. The refraction by ophthalmologist must be recommended for correction of refractive errors in children.

Congenital Ocular Motor Apraxia without Head Thrusts: A Case of Joubert Syndrome

Joubert syndrome is the very rare autosomal recessive disorder which is including agenesis of cerebellar vermis, respiratory discomfort, ocular motor apraxia, hereditary retinal dystrophy, ataxia and developmental retardation. To diagnose, the findings of electroretinography and visual evoked potential study can be useful and hypoplasia of cerebellar vermis in brain MRI can make certain diagnosis. We found ocular motor apraxia without head thrusts in 4-month little baby can't even control his head and neck, and then his electroretinography and visual evoked potential study was normal and there was agenesis of cerebellar vermis by MRI finding. So he was diagnosed as Joubert syndrome with ocular motor apraxia. Agenesis of cerebellar vermis is considered to be one of the causes of oculomotor apraxia, and the clinical presentation varies with the age and motor development of the child. So, we describe this case with a brief review of the literatures related to this disease.