Machine Learning Models for Low Back Pain Detection and Factor Identification: Insights From a 6-Year Nationwide Survey.

This study aimed to enhance performance, identify additional predictors, and improve the interpretability of biopsychosocial machine learning models for low back pain (LBP). Using survey data from a 6-year nationwide study involving 17,609 adults aged ≥50 years (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), we explored 119 factors to detect LBP in individuals who reported experiencing LBP for at least 30 days within the previous 3 months. Our primary model, model 1, employed eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) and selected primary factors (PFs) based on their feature importance scores.

Machine-learning enhancement of urine dipstick tests for chronic kidney disease detection.

Objective: Screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, mL/min/1.73 m2) from a blood sample and a proteinuria level from a urinalysis. We developed machine-learning models to detect CKD without blood collection, predicting an eGFR less than 60 (eGFR60 model) or 45 (eGFR45 model) using a urine dipstick test.

Relationship between drug targets and drug-signature networks: a network-based genome-wide landscape.

Drugs produce pharmaceutical and adverse effects that arise from the complex relationship between drug targets and signatures; by considering such relationships, we can begin to understand the cellular mechanisms of drugs. In this study, we selected 463 genes from the DSigDB database corresponding to targets and signatures for 382 FDA-approved drugs with both protein binding information for a drug-target score (KDTN, i.e.

Personalized Prediction of Kidney Function Decline and Network Analysis of the Risk Factors after Kidney Transplantation Using Nationwide Cohort Data.

We developed a machine-learning-based model that could predict a decrease in one-year graft function after kidney transplantation, and investigated the risk factors of the decreased function. A total of 4317 cases were included from the Korean Organ Transplant Registry (2014−2019). An XGBoost model was trained to predict the recipient’s one-year estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 45 mL/min/1.

Discovery of Depression-Associated Factors From a Nationwide Population-Based Survey: Epidemiological Study Using Machine Learning and Network Analysis.

Background: In epidemiological studies, finding the best subset of factors is challenging when the number of explanatory variables is large.

Objective: Our study had two aims. First, we aimed to identify essential depression-associated factors using the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) machine learning algorithm from big survey data (the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2012-2016).

Explanatory Model of Dry Eye Disease Using Health and Nutrition Examinations: Machine Learning and Network-Based Factor Analysis From a National Survey.

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) is a complex disease of the ocular surface, and its associated factors are important for understanding and effectively treating DED.

Objective: This study aimed to provide an integrative and personalized model of DED by making an explanatory model of DED using as many factors as possible from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data.

Methods: Using KNHANES data for 2012 (4391 sample cases), a point-based scoring system was created for ranking factors associated with DED and assessing patient-specific DED risk.

Accuracy of computer-assisted vertical cup-to-disk ratio grading for glaucoma screening.

Purpose: Glaucoma screening can be performed by assessing the vertical-cup-to-disk ratio (VCDR) of the optic nerve head from fundus photography, but VCDR grading is inherently subjective. This study investigated whether computer software could improve the accuracy and repeatability of VCDR assessment.

Methods: In this cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study, 5 ophthalmologists independently assessed the VCDR from a set of 200 optic disk images, with the median grade used as the reference standard for subsequent analyses.

One-Year Efficacy and Safety of Combined Photorefractive Keratectomy and Accelerated Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking after Intacs SK Intracorneal Ring Segment Implantation in Moderate Keratoconus.

Purpose: To report one-year outcomes of a modified version of two-stage multimodal surgical protocol for moderate keratoconus which has been suggesting promising preliminary results.

Materials And Methods: 30 eyes of 25 patients with moderate keratoconus who exhibited visual complaints and/or disease progression were included for this retrospective case study. Approximately 3 months after implantation of intracorneal ring segment (Intacs SK™), a combination of corneal wavefront-guided transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (CWG-transPRK, Schwind Amaris® 1050, and Schwind Sirius) and accelerated collagen cross-linking (accCXL, Avedro KXL™) was performed.

Wound Healing and Mucin Gene Expression of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells Treated with Deproteinized Extract of Calf Blood.

: The function of Solcoseryl in the corneal epithelium has not been fully examined. Here, we investigated the roles of Solcoseryl in the regulation of gene expression and corneal epithelial cell (CEC) activity.: The effect of Solcoseryl on CEC activity was analyzed through cell migration, adhesion, proliferation, and wound healing assays.

Meibum Expressibility Improvement as a Therapeutic Target of Intense Pulsed Light Treatment in Meibomian Gland Dysfunction and Its Association with Tear Inflammatory Cytokines.

Many recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of intense pulsed light (IPL) for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD); however, its effective treatment targets have not yet been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the baseline characteristics associated with an improvement in symptoms after IPL treatment; to examine the course of change in inflammatory tear cytokines, meibomian gland function, and tear stability; and to investigate the correlation between cytokines and ocular surface parameters. Thirty participants underwent three sessions of IPL treatment.

Comparative study of substrate free and amniotic membrane scaffolds for cultivation of limbal epithelial sheet.

Transplantation of cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation has been proven to restore the corneal surface in limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Here we comparatively investigated the optimized conditions and the efficiency of limbal epithelial sheet growth in three media conditions as well as with substrate free (transwell), human amniotic membrane (HAM) sutured onto transwell inserts (HAMTW), and HAM slide scaffold (HAMS). Outcomes evaluated were outgrowth sheet size from limbal explants, expression of stem/progenitor cell markers p63α, ABCG2 and CK15, and colony formation efficiency (CFE).

Enhancement of refractive outcomes of small-incision lenticule extraction via tear-film control.

Purpose: To suggest that tear film is a refractive outcome predictor in small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for myopia and describe methods of controlling the tear film and its effects on refractive outcomes.

Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, the tear film was kept clear and appropriate in amount during tear-film-controlled SMILE (TFC-SMILE). In contrast, no special care to the tear film was given in direct-docking SMILE (DD-SMILE).

Ex Vivo Expansion of Human Limbal Epithelial Cells Using Human Placenta-Derived and Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Ex vivo culture of human limbal epithelial cells (LECs) is used to treat limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency, a vision loss condition, and suitable culture systems using feeder cells or serum without animal elements have been developed. This study evaluated the use of human umbilical cord or placenta mesenchymal stem cells (C-MSCs or P-MSCs, resp.) as feeder cells in an animal/serum-free coculture system with human LECs.

Three-dimensional visualization system for ophthalmic microscopes using visible light and near-infrared illumination.

In this paper, we describe a three-dimensional visualization system for ophthalmic microscopes that is aimed at microsurgery without the eyepieces. A three-dimensional visualization system for ophthalmic microscopes using the mixed illumination, which consists of visible light and near-infrared illumination, is established in order to acquire more exact information of object and reduce the amount of light irradiated to the patients, and its usage in microsurgery without eyepieces is herein described. A custom-designed stereoscopic three-dimensional display which is manufactured for the convenience of the surgeons during the long-time surgery, is connected directly to the camera of the ophthalmic microscope in order to eliminate the discomfort of eyepieces to the surgeon and signal delay between the camera, mounted on the microscope, and display device for surgeon.

Calculations of actual corneal astigmatism using total corneal refractive power before and after myopic keratorefractive surgery.

Purpose: To calculate actual corneal astigmatism using the total corneal refractive astigmatism for the 4-mm apex zone of the Pentacam (TCRP4astig) and keratometric astigmatism (Kastig) before and after photorefractive keratectomy or laser in situ keratomileusis.

Methods: Uncomplicated 56 eyes after more than 6 months from the surgery were recruited by chart review. Various corneal astigmatisms were measured using the Pentacam and autokeratometer before and after surgery.

Meibomian gland dysfunction and tear cytokines after cataract surgery according to preoperative meibomian gland status.

Background: To investigate the possible mechanisms by which cataract surgery aggravates meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), we evaluated the changes in tear cytokines and ocular surface parameters after cataract surgery according to the preoperative MGD grade.

Design: Prospective, observational case series.

Participants: A total of 50 eyes from 50 patients who underwent cataract surgery were included.

Novel technique to measure horizontal corneal diameter using a Scheimpflug image on the Pentacam.

Purpose: A new method to measure the horizontal corneal diameter using a Scheimpflug image (SFI) was introduced and compared with the automated iris camera photo (ICP) method on the Pentacam.

Methods: Each one eye of 88 subjects without significant abnormality in the cornea was included. In SFI, diameters were measured manually using the built-in software tool with the edge-filter option.

Analgesic effect of preoperative topical nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on postoperative pain after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy.

Purpose: To assess the effect of preoperative topical nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on postoperative pain after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) and to investigate their mechanism.

Setting: Severance Eye Hospital and Saeyan Eye Clinic, Seoul, South Korea.

Design: Prospective randomized clinical trial.

Clinical outcomes of individualized botulinum neurotoxin type A injection techniques in patients with essential blepharospasm.

Purpose: To assess the clinical outcomes following botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) treatment with an individualized injection technique based on the types of spasms and to compare the results of the individualized injection technique with those of the conventional injection technique in the same patients.

Methods: From November 2011 to July 2013, 77 BoNT-A injections were performed in 38 patients. Eighteen patients were treated with conventional BoNT-A injections before 2011, and 20 patients were referred to our hospital for unsatisfactory results after a conventional injection technique.

New equivalent keratometry reading calculation with a rotating Scheimpflug camera for intraocular lens power calculation after myopic corneal surgery.

Purpose: To calculate the keratometric (K) reading in corneas modified by myopic keratorefractive surgery using the total corneal refractive power (TCRP) of the Pentacam rotating Scheimpflug camera.

Setting: University hospitals and private clinics, South Korea

Design: Evaluation of diagnostic test or technology.

Methods: The study comprised healthy eyes, eyes having myopic keratorefractive surgery, and eyes having cataract surgery after myopic keratorefractive surgery.

Comparison of analgesic effect of preoperative topical diclofenac and ketorolac on postoperative pain after photorefractive keratectomy.

Purpose: To investigate changes in the pain-suppressing potency of 2 preoperatively applied topical nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using a time-serial pain-scoring system.

Setting: Saeyan Eye Center, Seoul, South Korea.

Design: Comparative case series.

Comparison of surgically induced astigmatism following iris-claw PIOL insertion with scleral, limbal, or corneal incisions.

Purpose: To compare surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) based on incision site and evaluate the clinical results and astigmatic stability of iris-claw phakic intraocular lens (Artisan lens; Ophtec BV, Groningen, Netherlands) implantation.

Methods: Eighty-five eyes of 53 patients with myopia who underwent Artisan lens implantation with a 6.2-mm incision and follow-up of 6 months were retrospectively observed.

Evaluation of dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction after cataract surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction after cataract surgery.

Design: Prospective observational case series.

Methods: We studied 58 eyes of 48 patients who underwent phacoemulsification and evaluated them preoperatively and at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively.

Analysis of tear cytokines and clinical correlations in Sjögren syndrome dry eye patients and non-Sjögren syndrome dry eye patients.

Purpose: To compare concentrations of tear cytokines in 3 groups composed of Sjögren syndrome (SS) dry eye, non-Sjögren syndrome (non-SS) dry eye, and normal subjects. Correlations between ocular surface parameters and tear cytokines were also investigated.

Design: Prospective cross-sectional study.

Standard enucleation with aluminium oxide implant (bioceramic) covered with patient's sclera.

Purpose: We describe in our study a modified standard enucleation, using sclera harvested from the enucleated eye to cover the prosthesis in order to insert a large porous implant and to reduce postoperative complication rates in a phthisis globe.

Methods: We perform initially a standard enucleation. The porous implant (Bioceramic) is then covered only partially by the patient's sclera.