Changes in plasma lipoxin A4, resolvins and CD59 levels after ischemic and traumatic brain injuries in rats

Ischemic and traumatic brain injuries are the major acute central nervous system disorders that need to be adequately diagnosed and treated. To find biomarkers for these acute brain injuries, plasma levels of some specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs, i.e., lipoxin A4 [LXA4], resolvin [Rv] E1, RvE2, RvD1 and RvD2), CD59 and interleukin (IL)-6 were measured at 0, 6, 24, 72, and 168 h after global cerebral ischemic (GCI) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in rats. Plasma LXA4 levels tended to increase at 24 and 72 h after GCI. Plasma RvE1, RvE2, RvD1, and RvD2 levels showed a biphasic response to GCI; a significant decrease at 6 h with a return to the levels of the sham group at 24 h, and again a decrease at 72 h. Plasma CD59 levels increased at 6 and 24 h post-GCI, and returned to basal levels at 72 h post-GCI. For TBI, plasma LXA4 levels tended to decrease, while RvE1, RvE2, RvD1, and RvD2 showed barely significant changes. Plasma IL-6 levels were significantly increased after GCI and TBI, but with different time courses. These results show that plasma LXA4, RvE1, RvE2, RvD1, RvD2, and CD59 levels display differential responses to GCI and TBI, and need to be evaluated for their usefulness as biomarkers.

Changes in plasma lipoxin A4, resolvins and CD59 levels after ischemic and traumatic brain injuries in rats

Ischemic and traumatic brain injuries are the major acute central nervous system disorders that need to be adequately diagnosed and treated. To find biomarkers for these acute brain injuries, plasma levels of some specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs, i.e., lipoxin A4 [LXA4], resolvin [Rv] E1, RvE2, RvD1 and RvD2), CD59 and interleukin (IL)-6 were measured at 0, 6, 24, 72, and 168 h after global cerebral ischemic (GCI) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in rats. Plasma LXA4 levels tended to increase at 24 and 72 h after GCI. Plasma RvE1, RvE2, RvD1, and RvD2 levels showed a biphasic response to GCI; a significant decrease at 6 h with a return to the levels of the sham group at 24 h, and again a decrease at 72 h. Plasma CD59 levels increased at 6 and 24 h post-GCI, and returned to basal levels at 72 h post-GCI. For TBI, plasma LXA4 levels tended to decrease, while RvE1, RvE2, RvD1, and RvD2 showed barely significant changes. Plasma IL-6 levels were significantly increased after GCI and TBI, but with different time courses. These results show that plasma LXA4, RvE1, RvE2, RvD1, RvD2, and CD59 levels display differential responses to GCI and TBI, and need to be evaluated for their usefulness as biomarkers.

Transitions in Problematic Internet Use: A One-Year Longitudinal Study of Boys

OBJECTIVE: Longitudinal studies may help elucidate the factors associated with Problematic Internet Use (PIU); however, little prospective research has been conducted on the subject. The aim of the current study was to prospectively examine PIU in children/adolescents and identify the possible risk factors associated with transitions in PIU severity. METHODS: 650 middle-school boys were surveyed at two points one year apart and assessed for PIU using the Internet Addiction Proneness Scale for Youth (KS-II) and on other psychological characteristics. RESULTS: We found that 15.3% at baseline and 12.4% at one year met the criteria for at-risk/high-risk PIU (ARHRPIU). Both the persistent-ARHRPIU and emerging-ARHRPIU groups revealed greater depressive, motor impulsive, and smart-phone-addiction tendencies than the remitting-ARHRPIU group or the persistent low-risk group. In addition, we found that individuals exhibiting higher hyperkinetic attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) scores were less likely to remit from ARHRPIU, and that individuals exhibiting more ADHD-related cognitive dysfunction and reporting fewer Internet-game-free days were more likely to demonstrate an emergence of ARHRPIU. CONCLUSION: The present findings support previous studies in that specific negative-health features are linked to transitions in ARHRPIU. Furthermore, these findings suggest that intervention is needed and may be best targeted at specific groups of youths.

Molecular Characterization of Norovirus and Rotavirus in Outbreak of Acute Gastroenteritis in Seoul

Norovirus and rotavirus are important causes of acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis in communities worldwide. Genotypes of norovirus and rotavirus in stool samples, which were collected from patients, was determined by RT-PCR and ELISA. A total 4,484 stool samples (461 outbreak cases) collected during January 2010-April 2013 were analyzed. Four hundred thirty eight of samples were positive for norovirus. Twelve samples were positive for Rotavirus. Norovirus genotypes identified were nine kinds of G I genotype (G I -1, G I -2, G I -3, G I -4, G I -6, G I -7, G I -9, G I -12, G I -13) and nine kinds of G II genotype(G II -2, G II -4, G II -5, G II -6, G II -7, G II -11, G II -12, G II -15, G II -16). Rotavirus genotypes were G2P[4]. The results might be useful information for evaluating the epidemiological status of viral diarrhea in Seoul, and providing a strategy to prevent human norovirus, rotavirus and other threats to public health in Korea.

Clinical outcome of LASIK using Disposable Barron Microkeratome

PURPOSE: This study was performed in order to investigate the results and complications of LASIK using disposable Barron microkeratome. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records of 29 eyes of 15 patients who had received the LASIK procedure using disposable Barron microkeratome and VISX, STAR eximer laser. Patients had at least 6 months of follow up period. RESULTS: Uncorrected visual acuity of less than 20/40 is 3 percent, between 20/40 and 20/25, 28 percent, above 20/25, 69 percent at 6 months after operation. There were seven decentered corneal flap of twentynine cases (24.1%). The decentered corneal flap cases had no different visual acuity results with the centered corneal flap cases. Other flap associated complications didn't occur. Decentered corneal flap is located at nasal side according to the path of microkeratome advancement. Decentered flap cases have the preoperative characteristics of the thicker and flatter cornea and have the postoperative smaller corneal flap than centered flap cases. CONCLUSIONS: LASIK results using disposable Barron Microkeratome was satisfactory. The decentered corneal flap have the possibility of severe flap complications have occurred about 24 percent, therefore methods to manage that problem is need.

A Study of Factors Influencing After Cataract Development

PURPOSE: This study was performed in order to elucidate how the patient s age at cataract operation, coexisting systemic or other ocular diseases, cataract operation methods, and implanted intraocular lenses(IOLs) are associated with the after-cataract development. METHODS: The sixty-eight patients (87 eyes) which had undergone Nd-YAG capsulotomy at the Kangnam St. Mary s Hospital were studied with chart review retrospectively. All the cases had phacoemulsification, continous curvilinear capsulorhexis(CCC), and posterior chamber IOL implantation in the capsular bag. RESULTS: With regard to patient s age factor at cataract operation, the older patient, the more slowly did after-cataract develop. There is less development of after-cataracts that have no contact between anterior capsulectomy site and posterior capsule (36 eyes,41%) than have any contact (51 eyes, 59%). After-cataracts could be classified into Elschnig pearl type (51 eyes, 59%) and fibrous type (36 eyes, 41%), and fibrous type is especially few in those having no contact between anterior capsulectomy site and posterior capsule (P=0.0303). Foldable IOLs (including silicone, acrylic) have more fibrous type after-cataract (16 eyes of 29 eyes), on the contrary, polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA) IOLs have more Elschnig pearl type after-cataract. CONCLUSION: Through this study, we understand that patient s age and contact between anterior capsulectomy site and posterior capsule are the factors which can influence after-cataract development and type. However, there is no statistically significant difference between IOL and after-cataract type (P=0.0647).