Correlation between Visual Acuity and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Parameters in Unilateral Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane.

BACKGROUND: The tangential traction by idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) may alter the hemodynamics of the macula. We investigated the correlation between visual acuity and the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters in unilateral iERM. METHODS: We included 61 eyes of 61 consecutive patients with unilateral iERM between January 2018 and December 2018. The flow area of the retinal superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), and choroidal capillary plexus (CCP) were measured using OCTA. The normal fellow eyes were used for comparison. The iERM patients were divided into those with a presence of foveal concavity and those with a loss of foveal concavity. RESULTS: When compared with fellow eyes, the flow areas showed a statistically significant decrease in the SCP and CCP of those with iERM (p = 0.037 and p = 0.011, respectively). In the DCP, no significant reduction in flow area was found in iERM (p = 0.054). The flow area of the CCP was the only factor significantly associated with best vision (p = 0.012). No significant differences in the flow areas of the SCP, DCP, and CCP were found between the presence and loss of foveal concavity. CONCLUSIONS: The flow area of the CCP is an important determinant of vision, emphasizing the crucial role of choroidal circulation in iERM. Moreover, mechanical stretch by iERM is not the only mechanism affecting the flow area.

Foot bacterial intertrigo mimicking interdigital tinea pedis.

BACKGROUND: Itchy maceration of the toe webs is common in warm and humid weather. Some cases do not respond to treatment for tinea or eczema. METHODS: Patients with foot intertrigo with a poor response to antifungal or antiinflammatory treatment from 2004 to 2009 were included in this study. Their general characteristics were recorded. Bacterial and fungal cultures as well as potassium hydroxide preparations were performed. RESULTS: We recorded 32 episodes of foot bacterial intertrigo in 17 patients. The disease was more common in men (82%) and the mean age of the patients was 59 years. The main clinical finding was maceration of the toe webs. The majority of bacterial cultures grew mixed pathogens (93%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus facealis and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common pathogens. Autoeczematization was present in 50% of the 32 disease episodes. CONCLUSION: Foot bacterial intertrigo is not a rare condition and can easily be confused with interdigital tinea or eczematous dermatitis. Proper identification of bacterial organisms is critical for early effective antibiotic therapy. Patients should be instructed about proper foot hygiene, which is important to prevent recurrent infections.

Understanding Taiwanese children's perceptions of peace and strategies to make peace: a social and cultural perspective.

This exploratory study described Taiwanese children's perceptions of peace and what they think children can do to make peace. In-depth interviews were conducted with 60 Taiwanese children ages 4 to 18 years. The most predominant themes for the perceptions of peace were what peace is not, prosocial behaviors, positive emotions, and positive evaluations of peace. Approximately half of the children (48%) provided specific strategies for making peace. The suggested strategies generally were based on the child's immediate environment, such as "don't fight" "don't argue," and specific prosocial behaviors. 52% of children either said, "I don't know" when asked what children can do to make peace, or did not feel empowered to make peace. The initial findings were interpreted in terms of sociocultural issues, such as cultural heritage and upbringing, as well as within a political context.