Selective-plane-activation structured illumination microscopy.

The background light from out-of-focus planes hinders resolution enhancement in structured illumination microscopy when observing volumetric samples. Here we used selective plane illumination and reversibly photoswitchable fluorescent proteins to realize structured illumination within the focal plane and eliminate the out-of-focus background. Theoretical investigation of the imaging properties and experimental demonstrations show that selective plane activation is beneficial for imaging dense microstructures in cells and cell spheroids.

Three-in-One: Miniature Models of Natural Acyl-Transfer Systems Enable Vector-Selective Reaction on the Primary Side of Cyclodextrins.

Miniature models of acyl-transfer systems in cells, which were composed by replacing the protein, coenzyme, and substrate with CD, functional group, and CD, respectively, and combining them all together in one, displayed definite role-sharing and exact cooperation of the functional groups and hydrophobic cavity, and thus enabled the regio-specific reaction.

Palmitoylation of ULK1 by ZDHHC13 plays a crucial role in autophagy.

Autophagy is a highly conserved process from yeast to mammals in which intracellular materials are engulfed by a double-membrane organelle called autophagosome and degrading materials by fusing with the lysosome. The process of autophagy is regulated by sequential recruitment and function of autophagy-related (Atg) proteins. Genetic hierarchical analyses show that the ULK1 complex comprised of ULK1-FIP200-ATG13-ATG101 translocating from the cytosol to autophagosome formation sites as a most upstream ATG factor; this translocation is critical in autophagy initiation. However, how this translocation occurs remains unclear. Here, we show that ULK1 is palmitoylated by palmitoyltransferase ZDHHC13 and translocated to the autophagosome formation site upon autophagy induction. We find that the ULK1 palmitoylation is required for autophagy initiation. Moreover, the ULK1 palmitoylated enhances the phosphorylation of ATG14L, which is required for activating PI3-Kinase and producing phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate, one of the autophagosome membrane's lipids. Our results reveal how the most upstream ULK1 complex translocates to the autophagosome formation sites during autophagy.

[Medium-term effects of intravitreal bevacizumab for macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion].

PURPOSE: To report the medium term effects of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with macular edema. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients receiving intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg/0.05 ml of bevacizumab (IVB) were included. All patients were followed up for 6 months or longer after the final IVB. The visual acuity and central retinal thickness (CRT) were measured at baseline, one week and every three months after the first IVB. RESULTS: The mean follow-up after the final IVB was 12.5 months (6-30 months). The mean visual acuity (baseline : 0.63 +/- 0.39) temporarily improved at one week (0.38 +/- 0.33 : p=0.0002), but there was no significant visual improvement at the final visit (0.73 +/- 0.67 : p=1.0). The mean CRT significantly decreased at one week, three months and six months after IVB and at the last visit. There were no differences in either visual or anatomical outcomes between the ischemic type and non-ischemic type. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injections of bevacizumab should be initially considered as a possible treatment in eyes with macular edema associated with central retinal vein occlusion.

Combined 25-gauge vitrectomy and cataract surgery with toric intraocular lens with idiopathic epiretinal membrane.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the stability of axis rotation, astigmatism correction, and improvement in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) up to 6 months postoperatively using an astigmatism-correcting intraocular lens (IOL) in a 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy combined with cataract surgery. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan. DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized interventional study. METHOD: Eyes with a preoperative corneal cylinder of more than 0.75 diopter (D) had a triple procedure for idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) using an Acrysof IQ toric IOL. Outcome measures were the amount of IOL axis rotation up to 3 months postoperatively, UDVA, corrected distance visual acuity, and corneal and refractive astigmatism up to 6 months postoperatively. A comparison was performed between patients with a target postoperative spherical refraction of emmetropia (toric emmetropic group) and patients who previously had a triple procedure for idiopathic ERM using a nontoric IOL (control group). RESULTS: The mean IOL axis rotation from the end of surgery until 3 months postoperatively was 3.67 degrees ± 3.13 (SD). Six months postoperatively, the mean corneal and refractive cylinders were 1.32 ± 0.61 D and 0.51 ± 0.31 D, respectively, showing a significant difference (P<.0001, paired t test). In addition, the mean UDVA was significantly improved 6 months postoperatively in the control and toric emmetropic group (0.57 logMAR versus 0.35 logMAR) (P=.028), although the toric group was more improved than the control group. CONCLUSION: In vitrectomy (triple procedure) for idiopathic ERM with a toric IOL, postoperative IOL axis stability was similar to that reported for cataract surgery alone. Furthermore, the UDVA was better than with implantation of a spherical IOL.

Macular hole surgery with triamcinolone acetonide-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling: one-year results.

PURPOSE: To report the 1-year results of macular hole surgery with triamcinolone acetonide (TA)-assisted internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and to compare those with results of indocyanine green (ICG)-assisted ILM peeling. METHODS: In a nonrandomized, retrospective, interventional case series, 40 eyes of 39 consecutive patients with idiopathic full-thickness macular holes underwent macular hole surgery with TA-assisted ILM peeling. Surgical results 1 year after surgery, including changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and macular hole closure, were evaluated. Moreover, we compared the results for these 40 eyes (TA group) with those for 27 eyes of 27 consecutive patients who had undergone macular hole surgery with 0.25% ICG-assisted ILM peeling (ICG group). RESULTS: In the TA group, macular holes were closed in 39 (98%) of 40 eyes. Mean BCVA +/- SD significantly improved from 0.78 +/- 0.31 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) preoperatively to 0.20 +/- 0.30 logMAR (P < 0.001). BCVA improved by > or =0.2 logMAR in 37 eyes (93%). BCVA was 20/40 or better in 33 (83%) of 30 eyes. In the ICG group, macular holes were closed in all 27 eyes (100%), and mean BCVA +/- SD significantly improved from 0.81 +/- 0.4 logMAR preoperatively to 0.34 +/- 0.2 logMAR 1 year postoperatively (P < 0.001). BCVA improved by > or =0.2 logMAR in 22 eyes (81%). BCVA was 20/40 or better in 16 (59%) of 27 eyes. Significant differences between groups were seen in mean BCVA 1 year after surgery (P = 0.049) but not in BCVA of 20/40 or better (P = 0.17) or change in BCVA by > or =0.2 logMAR (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: TA is useful as an adjuvant for ILM peeling in macular hole surgery, and BCVA 1 year after surgery might be more favorable when compared with ICG-assisted ILM peeling.