• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.1291-1298
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• 2017

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is the most common medical imaging device with the ability to image the retina in eyes at micrometer resolution and to visualize the pathological indicators of many retinal diseases such as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. Accordingly, there have been research activities to analyze and process OCT images to identify those indicators and make medical decisions based on the findings. In this paper, we use a deep convolutional neural network for analysis of OCT volume data to distinguish AMD from normal patients. We propose a novel approach where images in each OCT volume are grouped together into sub-volumes and the network is trained by those sub-volumes instead of individual images. We conducted an experiment using public data set to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. The experiment confirmed performance improvement of our approach over the traditional image-by-image training approach.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.9
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• pp.525-530
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• 2015

Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a pathogenic role in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and is thus a potential target for the development of therapeutics for this disease. Here, we demonstrated that Wnt5a antagonized β-catenin response transcription (CRT) induced with Wnt3a by promoting β-catenin phosphorylation at Ser33/Ser37/Thr41 and its subsequent degradation in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Wnt5a decreased the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), which was up-regulated by Wnt3a. Furthermore, Wnt5a increased E-cadherin expression and decreased cell migration by down-regulating Snail expression, thereby abrogating the Wnt3a-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human RPE cells. Our findings suggest that Wnt5a suppresses the pathogenic effects of canonical Wnt signaling in human RPE cells by promoting β-catenin phosphorylation and degradation. Therefore, Wnt5a has significant therapeutic potential for the treatment of AMD. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(9): 525-530]

• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.59 no.11
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• pp.1039-1048
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• 2018

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment on the healthcare-related finances of patients with age-related macular degeneration. Methods: Changes in health care financing due to newly introduced benefit standards were predicted over the coming 5-year period (2018-2022). We also analyzed the financial impact of scenarios in which agents similar to anti-VEGF, such as the over-licensed drug bevacizumab, were introduced. For this purpose, the future number of patients receiving anti-VEGF treatments was estimated for various scenarios based on National Health Insurance Corporation claims data followed by an estimate of the financial burden. Results: In the case of age-related macular degeneration, the current standard of care (14 times in a lifetime) was maintained in scenario 1. In 2018, the insurance budget for the coming 5-year period was estimated at approximately 440.3 billion won. The insurance cost for that period was estimated at approximately 560.1 billion won under the revised standard of December 2017 (scenario 2). For scenarios wherein, after 2020, similar treatments (scenario 3) and bevacizumab (scenario 4) were introduced, the estimated health insurance costs were 521 billion won and 419.7 billion won, respectively. Conclusions: Health insurance costs are projected to increase substantially due to the elimination of the 14 time pay standard; however, the actual budget will only moderately increase, due to new limitations of visual acuity ${\leq}0.1$ or in case of scarring/atrophic lesions. Clinically similar agents and bevacizumab could be considered as alternatives to anti-VEGF treatment for age-related macular degeneration.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.535-543
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between senile eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma and oral health behaviors. Data from the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII-2) were used to analyze oral health behaviors according to the presence of AMD and glaucoma. Demographics and oral behaviors were analyzed using the complex chi-square test and complex logistic regression to compare participants with AMD and glaucoma with those without AMD and glaucoma. According to the presence or absence of AMD and glaucoma, there were statistically significant differences in age, education level, oral care product use, and difficulty in speaking variables. The results of this study provide evidence of a significant association in some variables between oral behaviors and senile eye diseases.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.54-65
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify influencing factors on vision-related quality of life in patients with retinal diseases receiving intravitreal injections by examining relationships among anxiety, depression, coping, eye health behaviors and vision-related quality of life. Methods: One hundred and five outpatients who were diagnosed with macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy were recruited from one university hospital during August 16, 2019 to March 25, 2020. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage, mean, standard deviation), and t-tests, ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson's correlations, and stepwise multiple regressions using the IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0. Results: The vision-related quality of life according to general characteristics of retinal disease patients with intravitreal injection showed significant differences in age (F=3.01, p=.034), subjective economic status (F=5.83, p=.004), types of retinal disease (t=2.62, p=.010), and disease in both eyes (t=-3.04, p=.003). The vision-related quality of life showed a significant positive correlation with age (r=.24, p=.012), and negative correlations with anxiety (r=-.66, p<.001), depression (r=-.48, p<.001), and emotion-focused coping (r=-.20, p=.036). The hierarchical regression analysis indicated that factors affecting vision-related quality of life in patients with retinal diseases were anxiety and subjective economic status, accounting for 47.0% of the variances of the vision-related quality of life. Conclusion: Based on our results, health professionals need to pay attention to patients with low socioeconomic status due to frequent treatments. Also, a program needs to be developed to decrease anxiety for outpatients receiving intravitreal injections to improve their vision-related quality of life.

• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.59 no.12
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• pp.1152-1159
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• 2018

Purpose: We prospectively investigated clinical changes and long-term outcomes after administration of the drugs recommended by the Age-Related Eye Disease Study-2 to patients with intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: This prospective multicenter study enrolled 79 eyes of 55 patients taking lutein and zeaxanthin. The primary endpoint was contrast sensitivity; this was checked every 12 months for a total of 36 months after treatment commenced. The secondary endpoints were visual acuity, central macular thickness, and drusen volume; the latter two parameters were assessed using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Results: The mean patient age was $72.46{\pm}7.16years$. Contrast sensitivity gradually improved at both three and six cycles per degree. The corrected visual acuity was $0.13{\pm}0.14logMAR$ and did not change significantly over the 36 months. Neither the central macular thickness nor drusen volume changed significantly. Conclusions: Contrast sensitivity markedly improved after treatment, improving vision and patient satisfaction. Visual acuity, central retinal thickness, and drusen volume did not deteriorate. Therefore, progression of AMD and visual function deterioration were halted.

• Vacuum Magazine
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.12-15
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• 2017

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is considered as one of promising medical and diagnostic technologies. The SERS effect is caused by the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) from metal nanoparticles with narrow hot spots. The mechanism of LSPR, development of nanostructure fabrication, and corresponding researches are discussed. The flexible, label-free, low-cost, and highly-sensitive Au/ZnONRs/G is introduced. The Au/ZnONRs/G detects and distinguishes cataract, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic macular edema from aqueous humor. Comprehension of SERS provides further improvement in bio sensing technology including early diagnosis and prolonged life expectancy.realize highly stretchable electrodes.

• CELLMED
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.18.1-18.4
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• 2020

Among five sense organs or Gyanendriyas 'Eyes' are considered as most important sense organs. They are said to be the path to mind and seat of Tejas (Light). Now a days due to their overuse and negligence in maintenance we are facing many eye related problems like Dry Eye Syndrome, Cataract, Age related Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Computer Vision Syndrome etc. To observe the association of defective lifestyle and related eye problems with their preventive measures, different Ayurvedic procedures are reviewed from ancient literatures and some modern researches. Dinacharya (Daily regimen) explained in Ayurveda helps to prevent many derangements. Lifestyle modification in terms of proper daily regimen and dietary regimen could help to prevent eye problems. Padabhyanga (foot massage) is one of the procedures mentioned in Dinacharya, an effective therapy for healing of eye disorders.

• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.59 no.11
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• pp.1030-1038
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• 2018

Purpose: To evaluate whether early visual acuity response at 4 weeks after the first intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection or 4 weeks after the third injection in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is associated with 12-month follow-up outcome. Methods: Thirty treatment-naive patients (30 eyes) with nAMD, treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF, were retrospectively included. Initially, all patients were injected at least three times for three consecutive months and followed up with a pro re nata regimen for at least 12 months. The relationship between 4 weeks after the first and third anti-VEGF injections in visual acuity response was explored, including the mean change from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The mean change in BCVA was classified into three groups according to visual improvement: <1, 1-<3, or ${\geq}3$ logMAR line(s) in BCVA. The associations among baseline characteristics (gender, age, duration of symptoms, initial BCVA, central macular thickness, and intraocular pressure) and visual acuity responses 4 weeks after the first and third anti-VEGF injections were also assessed. Results: The proportions of eyes with <1, 1-<3, and ${\geq}3-line(s)$ improvement at 4 weeks after the first injection were 6 eyes (20%), 7 eyes (23.3%), and 17 eyes (56.6%), respectively. The proportions of eyes with <1, 1-<3, and ${\geq}3-line(s)$ improvement at 4 weeks after the third injection were 9 eyes (30%), 9 eyes (30%), and 12 eyes (40%), respectively. A BCVA response ${\geq}3-lines$ improvement at 4 weeks after the third injection showed significant associations with ${\geq}3-line(s)$ improvement and BCVA response at 12 months in multiple logistic and linear regression analyses (p = 0.04). Conclusions: In this study, BCVA response ${\geq}3-lines$ improvement at 4 weeks after the third injection showed a significant association with ${\geq}3-line(s)$ improvement and BCVA response at 12 months.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.699-709
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• 2024

Oxya chinensis sinuosa (OC) is a well-known edible insect. Several researches on the health benefits of OC consumption have been performed to date; however, their effect on eye health remains largely unknown. This study aimed to assess the protective effects of OC extracts on the oxidative stress on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Oxidative damage has been identified as one of the key regulatory factors in agerelated macular degeneration. H₂O₂-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, a well-known oxidative stress factor, can cause cell death in retinal pigment epithelia cells. In this study, we found that three OC extracts effectively prevented H₂O₂-induced ROS production and subsequent death of ARPE-19 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the OC extracts inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases including p38, JNK, and ERK. The OC extracts restored IκBα degradation induced by H₂O₂, indicating that OC extracts suppressed the activation of nuclear factorκB. Furthermore, the three OC extracts were shown to have antioxidant effects by upregulating the intracellular expression of key antioxidant proteins such as SOD, NQO, and HO-1. Here we demonstrated the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of the OC extracts on ARPE-19, indicating their potential role in improving eye health. These results suggest that three OC extracts plays a critical role in oxidative stress-induced cell death protects in ARPE-19 cells.