Effect of chemical composition of coal ash used to prepare granulated coal ash on the removal of hydrogen sulfide from water.

Granulated coal ash was prepared by mixing coal ash derived from a coal electric power plant and blast furnace cement, to remove hydrogen sulfide from aquatic environment. In this study, we investigate the effects of the composition of the coal ash used to prepare the granulated coal ash on its hydrogen sulfide removal performance. Manganese, magnesium, and calcium contents in the granulated coal ash were found to be the major factors in controlling the rate of hydrogen sulfide removal. The kinetics of hydrogen sulfide removal by the granulated coal ash were expressed as a first-order equation with a rate constant of 0.0081-0.080 h-1 . The rate constant for hydrogen sulfide removal obtained in this study correlated well with the manganese content in the granulated coal ash. The increasing surface pH attributed to the hydrolysis of calcium and magnesium on the surface of the granulated coal ash slightly increased the hydrogen sulfide removal rate. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Adsorbents for H2 S are prepared by coal ash from different coal blend and coal electric power generation processes. Adsorbents tested in this study could remove hydrogen sulfide effectively. Manganese oxide in the adsorbents enhanced the removal rate of hydrogen sulfide. Adsorbents tested in this study contribute to sustainable development goals in terms of coal fly ash recycling.

Statistical Analysis of Factors Affecting Surgically Induced Astigmatism Following Trabeculectomy.

Purpose: To objectively evaluate surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C and investigate the relationships between SIA and various factors. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study included the right eyes of 66 consecutive patients who underwent standard trabeculectomy performed in the superior temporal quadrant for the first time by a single surgeon. Keratometry recordings made before surgery and 3 months after surgery were collected to calculate the SIA in each patient. The arithmetic mean of SIA (M-SIA) and the centroid of SIA (C-SIA) were determined using vector analysis. The relationships between the magnitude of SIA and the following possible related factors were assessed: age, sex, pre-operative corneal astigmatism, pre-operative intraocular pressure (IOP), 3-month postoperative IOP, pre-operative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), 3-month postoperative BCVA, the number of total scleral flap sutures (T-SFS), the number of leftover scleral flap sutures without laser suture lysis at 3 months postoperatively (L-SFS), shape of the scleral flap (triangle or trapezoid), and incision type of the conjunctival flap (fornix- or limbal-based). Results: The mean (± standard deviation) M-SIA was 1.00 ± 0.85 D, and the mean C-SIA was 0.34 ± 1.28 D at 104°. The direction of C-SIA showed a trend of corneal steepening to the superior temporal location, in the direction of the scleral flap location. There were significant correlations of the magnitudes of SIA with the number of T-SFS (P = 0.001) and the number of L-SFS (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Trabeculectomy induced SIA in the direction of the scleral flap location, and scleral sutures are significantly associated with the SIA. The scleral suture may play a key role in steepening the cornea toward the scleral flap direction in post-trabeculectomy patients.

A Patient with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma with Re-Elevated Nocturnal Sitting Intraocular Pressure after Restarting Medical Therapy due to a Bleb Failure.

We describe the case of a primary open-angle glaucoma patient with re-elevated nocturnal sitting intraocular pressure (IOP) after restarting medical therapy due to a failing bleb. IOP was markedly higher than diurnal IOP during multiple-drug therapy in both eyes, but it did not increase in the left eye with a functional bleb without medical therapy after trabeculectomy with adjuvant mitomycin. However, nocturnal sitting IOP was re-elevated after restarting multiple-drug therapy due to a failing bleb, while diurnal IOP was maintained at a low level.

Twenty-Four-Hour Intraocular Pressure Control with Omidenepag Isopropyl 0.002% in Patients with Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension.

PURPOSE: To clarify the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect of a selective prostanoid EP2 receptor agonist, omidenepag isopropyl (OMDI) during a 24-hour period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Subjects aged ≥20 years and with diagnosed, untreated primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were enrolled. IOP measurements were performed every 4 hours over a 24-hour period using a Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and Icare PRO tonometer (PRO). The baseline 24-hour IOP was measured in untreated subjects. After the baseline measurements, participants were given OMDI 1 drop once daily at night for 4 weeks. At week 4, the IOP measurement was repeated under the same conditions. Diurnal (9 am, 1 pm, 5 pm) and nocturnal (9 pm, 1 am, 5 am) IOP measurements were compared between baseline and treatment with OMDI. Safety measures included adverse events, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, visual acuity, heart rate and blood pressure. RESULTS: Of 27 participants enrolled, 25 patients (20 males and 5 females, average age 52.2 ± 8.5 years) completed the study. In the sitting position, the baseline diurnal and nocturnal mean IOPs (GAT) were 19.1 ± 2.1 mmHg and 18.2 ± 2.6 mmHg, respectively, the diurnal and nocturnal mean IOP reduction from baseline were -2.8 ± 2.6 mmHg (p < 0.0001) and -3.3 ± 2.9 mmHg (p < 0.0001), respectively, mean 24-hour IOP (GAT) was significantly lower with the OMDI treatment (-3.1 ± 2.5 mmHg, p < 0.0001). In the supine position, the baseline nocturnal mean IOP (PRO) was 17.99 ± 2.22 mmHg, and the nocturnal mean IOP reduction from baseline was -1.78 ± 2.37 mmHg (p = 0.0009) after 4 weeks of the treatment. Nine adverse events were observed in 8 patients including mild conjunctival hyperemia (n = 8) and mild iritis (n=1). There were no significant effects on systemic safety. CONCLUSION: Once daily OMDI treatment was able to produce stable 24-hour IOP reduction.

Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in the Aqueous Humor of Glaucoma Patients.

BACKGROUND: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. BDNF concentrations reported in previous studies have varied widely, and the concentration of BDNF in aqueous humor is unknown. In this study, BDNF concentrations in the aqueous humor of glaucoma patients and control patients were measured with ELISA kits. METHODS: This prospective, observational study examined BDNF levels in aqueous humor in 62 eyes of 43 patients who underwent cataract surgery or trabeculectomy (11 glaucoma patients and 32 non-glaucoma cataract patients as controls). BDNF concentrations were examined by 4 different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. RESULTS: The mean ± SD patient age was 72.0 ± 10.1 (range 35 to 87) years. Two of the techniques detected no BDNF in aqueous humor in any samples (n=3 and n=9, respectively); the average value was less than zero. An ultrasensitive ELISA kit did not yield reliable measurements. Finally, in an even more sensitive ELISA (Simoa-HD1), performed by an outside contractor, 25 (54.3%) eyes were below the detection limit, including 20 (55.6%) control and 5 (50%) glaucoma cases. For eyes with detectable BDNF, the overall BDNF concentration was 0.158 pg/mL (n=21): 0.196 pg/mL (n=16) in controls and 0.034 pg/mL (n=5) in glaucoma cases. CONCLUSIONS: BDNF level in aqueous humor varies widely.

Changes in the Ganglion Cell Complex after Inner Limiting Membrane Peeling for Epiretinal Membrane in Glaucoma Patients.

BACKGROUND: Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a disease that affects the vitreoretinal interface and causes metamorphopsia, anorthopia, and decreased visual acuity. In this study, ERM patients who underwent internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling were classified as those with glaucoma (Group G) and a control group (Group C). Changes in ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness were compared between these groups to investigate whether such changes had an effect on progression of glaucoma from structural change. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study that included 27 eyes of 27 patients. Group C included 22 eyes, and Group G included 5 eyes. Patients underwent ILM peeling, and cataract surgery was combined with vitrectomy for 16 phakic eyes; 2 phakic eyes and 9 aphakic eyes were treated only with vitrectomy. GCC thickness was measured preoperatively and at 2 weeks and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, and these values and the rates of thinning were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 66.7±12.8 years (range 30-84 years). There was no significant difference between groups in the thickness of the GCC or its rate of thinning after ILM peeling. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that this procedure does not cause structural exacerbation of glaucoma in glaucoma patients. Although further studies of the functional effects of ILM peeling are required, the present results suggest that there is no significant difference between the two groups.

Cystoid Macular Edema Associated with Omidenepag Isopropyl in Phakic Eyes after Laser Iridotomy: A Case Report.

Decreased vision and cystoid macular edema (CME) developed in phakic eyes of a patient who underwent laser iridotomy after changing the glaucoma eye drops from carteolol 2% long-acting ophthalmic solution to omidenepag isopropyl 0.002%. CME completely disappeared at approximately 2 months after discontinuation of omidenepag isopropyl in conjunction with the use of bromfenac sodium 0.1%.

Multimodal imaging analysis of macular dystrophy in patient with maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD) with m.3243A>G mutation.

Purpose: Maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD) is caused by a heteroplasmic m.3243A>G mutation in the mitochondrial DNA. The main ocular feature in MIDD is macular dystrophy. The purpose of this study was to identify the phenotypical characteristics of a patient with MIDD by multimodal high-resolution imaging analyses.Methods: A detailed history and ophthalmic examination were performed on a 39-year-old patient with MIDD. Multi-modal imaging included fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence imaging, fluorescein angiography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, OCT-angiography, and adaptive optics imaging. The PCR-invader and whole exome sequencing (WES) methods were performed on the DNA of the patient.Results: A 39-year-old woman with sensorineural hearing loss, diabetes mellitus presented with atrophic perifoveal changes and MIDD was suspected. The PCR-invader and WES methods showed that the patient had a m.3243A>G mutation in the mitochondrial DNA with 29% and 16.7% of the heteroplasmy in the peripheral blood, respectively. Morphological analyses revealed that the areas of photoreceptor degeneration and chorioretinal atrophy were present mainly in the perifoveal region. Multifocal ERGs showed that the perifoveal responses were reduced. Goldmann visual field was significant for a cecocentral scotoma in the right eye and an enlarged blind spot in the left eye. The central isopter was constricted bilaterally. The results of high-resolution retinal imaging by AO revealed that the densities of the cone photoreceptor were significantly reduced in the fovea where no obvious atrophy of the RPE and choroid was observed.Conclusions: Our findings indicate that WES analysis can be used to detect the m.3243A>G mutation in the mtDNA. The results of multimodal imaging analyses indicated that the primary dysfunction of the photoreceptors in the fovea might precede the dysfunction of the RPE in patient with MIDD.

Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Glaucoma Patients in Japan: An Observational Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to measure serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in Japanese patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and normal tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of serum BDNF levels in 78 patients who underwent cataract surgery or trabeculectomy (27 glaucoma patients and 51 non-glaucoma cataract patients as controls). Patient age was 68.8 ± 11.1 years (mean ± standard deviation; range 35-86 years). The numbers of patients with POAG and NTG were 16 and 11, respectively. POAG was diagnosed by intraocular pressure measurement, gonioscopy, optic nerve head change, and presence of a visual field defect. RESULTS: Serum BDNF concentration was significantly lower in the glaucoma group (including both POAG and NTG) than in the control group (7.2 ± 3.6 ng/mL vs. 12.2 ± 9.3 ng/mL, p=0.004). Serum BDNF concentration was lower in early glaucoma than in moderate glaucoma. There was no correlation between serum BDNF concentration and age. When patients with NTG and POAG were compared, serum BDNF concentration was lower in the former. Serum BDNF concentration was not significantly correlated with glaucoma parameters, including optical coherence tomography and visual field defects. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to investigate serum BDNF concentration in glaucoma patients in Japan. Future studies should evaluate the role of BDNF as a potential biomarker of glaucoma.

Tyrosine triple mutated AAV2-BDNF gene therapy in an inner retinal injury model induced by intravitreal injection of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA).

Purpose: Glaucoma is a group of chronic optic neuropathies characterized by the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons, and they ultimately cause blindness. Because neuroprotection using neurotrophic factors against RGC loss has been proven a beneficial strategy, extensive attempts have been made to perform gene transfer of neurotrophic proteins. This study used the inner retinal injury mouse model to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of tyrosine triple mutated and self-complementary adeno-associated virus (AAV) encoding brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; tm-scAAV2-BDNF). Methods: C57BL/6J mice were intravitreally injected with 1 µl of tm-scAAV2-BDNF and its control AAV at a titer of 6.6 E+13 genome copies/ml. Three weeks later, 1 µl of 2 mM N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) was administered in the same way as the viral injection. Six days after the NMDA injection, we assessed the dark-adapted electroretinography (ERG). Mice were sacrificed at one week after the NMDA injection, followed by RNA quantification, protein detection, and histopathological analysis. Results: The RNA expression of BDNF in retinas treated with tm-scAAV2-BDNF was about 300-fold higher than that of its control AAV. Meanwhile, the expression of recombinant BDNF protein increased in retinas treated with tm-scAAV2-BDNF. In addition, histological analysis revealed that tm-scAAV2-BDNF prevented thinning of the inner retina. Furthermore, b-wave amplitudes of the tm-scAAV2-BDNF group were significantly higher than those of the control vector group. Histopathological and electrophysiological evaluations showed that tm-scAAV2-BDNF treatment offered significant protection against NMDA toxicity. Conclusions: Results showed that tm-scAAV2-BDNF-treated retinas were resistant to NMDA injury, while retinas treated with the control AAV exhibited histopathological and functional changes after the administration of NMDA. These results suggest that tm-scAAV2-BDNF is potentially effective against inner retinal injury, including normal tension glaucoma.

The 24-hour intraocular pressure control by tafluprost/timolol fixed combination after switching from the concomitant use of tafluprost and timolol gel-forming solution, in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the 24-hour intraocular pressure (IOP)-control effect of the tafluprost/timolol fixed combination (TAF/TIM-FC) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma after they switched from the concomitant use of tafluprost and timolol gel-forming solution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (12 male and 8 female; mean ± SD age, 57.0±7.1 years) were included in this study. The patients were treated for 8 weeks with the concomitant administration of tafluprost and timolol gel-forming solution (evening dosing). At the end of this period, the patients underwent 24-hour IOP monitoring (measured at 21:00, 01:00, 05:00, 09:00, 13:00 and 17:00). IOP was measured with Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and Icare PRO at sitting position at all timepoints and additionally, at supine position with Icare PRO tonometer at 01:00 and 05:00. The patients were then all switched to TAF/TIM-FC treatment (evening dosing). After 8 weeks, the 24-hour IOP monitoring was repeated. RESULTS: Nineteen patients completed the study. The mean 24-hour IOPs in the concomitant and TAF/TIM-FC phases were 13.8±2.7 vs 13.3±2.8 mmHg (P=0.0033) with the GAT in the sitting position and 13.96±2.56 vs 13.48±2.56 mmHg (P=0.0120) with the Icare PRO in habitual positions. In comparison with the concomitant phase, significantly lower IOP was observed for the TAF/TIM-FC phase at 21:00 and 01:00 with the GAT and at 01:00 with the Icare PRO. In addition, the maximum IOP and fluctuations in IOP in habitual positions were lower for the TAF/TIM-FC phase than for the concomitant phase. CONCLUSION: TAF/TIM-FC showed a stable 24-hour IOP-lowering effect and was equally or more effective than the concomitant use of tafluprost and timolol gel, both when sitting and when in habitual positions.

Efficacy of predetermined therapeutic measures against bleb-related infection in the Collaborative Bleb-related Infection Incidence and Treatment Study.

PURPOSE: To report the efficacy of the predetermined treatment protocol of the Collaborative Bleb-related Infection Incidence and Treatment Study (CBIITS) for bleb-related infection (BRI) patients. METHODS: A prospective, observational cohort study was conducted at 34 clinical centres in Japan. Nineteen eyes from 19 patients that developed BRI were treated using the CBIITS protocol at 34 clinical centres. The visual acuity (VA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) were monitored for 6 and 12 months after treatment with the predetermined protocol. RESULTS: The logMAR was 0.623 ± 0.748 (mean ± standard deviation) before the infection developed. It was 1.054 ± 1.156 and 0.950 ± 1.168 at 6 months and 12 months post-infection, respectively. However, in subgroup analyses, there was no significant decrease in post-infection logMAR in stages I and II. In contrast, decimal VA was decreased ≥2 lines in all four cases in stage III. The IOP did not change after infection. It was 10.2 ± 5.0 mmHg (range, 3-22 mmHg) before the infection developed, and 12.9 ± 5.2 mmHg (5-24 mmHg) and 10.7 ± 4.7 mmHg (3-18 mmHg) at 6 months and 12 months after infection, respectively. CONCLUSION: Because of the small number of BRI patients, the superiority of the treatment was not definitively determined. However, VA was almost maintained in stages I and II, and the IOP did not change after infection. Although further study is necessary, the treatment protocol shown in the study might be a valuable treatment regime.

Twenty-Four-Hour Variation of Intraocular Pressure in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Treated with Triple Eye Drops.

Objectives. To evaluate 24-hour intraocular pressure (IOP) variation in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) treated with triple eye drops. Subjects and Methods. The IOP was measured in 74 eyes in 74 POAG patients (seated) on triple therapy (PG analogue, ß-blocker, carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) at about every 3 hours. Results. The peak IOP was 13.5 ± 3.1 at 1:00, and the trough IOP was at 12.6 ± 2.4 mmHg at 7:00. The IOP at 7:00 was significantly lower than that at 10:00, 1:00, and 3:00 (p < 0.05). Based on the time of the peak IOP, we classified the patients into two groups: diurnal (28 eyes) and nocturnal types (37 eyes). There was significant difference at the spherical equivalent between diurnal and nocturnal types (p = 0.014). To assess the influence of reflective error, we conducted subanalysis for two groups: high myopic (26 eyes, ≤-6D) and low/nonmyopic (24 eyes, ≥-2D) groups. In the low/nonmyopia group, the IOP was significantly higher at 1:00 and 3:00 than at 13:00, 16:00, and 7: 00 (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The mean of IOP elevated outside of clinic hour in the POAG patients on triple therapy. The low/nonmyopia patient should be carefully treated because the IOP of the patients at night elevated significantly.

Variation in properties of the sediment following electrokinetic treatments.

Many studies have reported variation in properties of the sediment within electrokinetic treatments (EKTs). However, we aim to reveal the variation in properties of the sediment following EKTs through laboratory experiments. We collected sewage-derived sediment from a littoral region, and passed it through a 2-mm sieve. We used a potentiostat to cause electrical current in EKT. We measured the sediment properties such as pH, redox potential (ORP), and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) concentration at the end of EKT and at 30 days following EKT. Results showed decreases in pH, increases in ORP, and decreases in H2S concentration at the end of EKT. Compared with the sediment without EKT, the decrease in ORP for the sediment within EKT was higher at 30 days following EKT. These suggest that anaerobic digestion of organic compounds occurs in the sediment following EKT, of which the oxidants produced by EKT serve as electron acceptors and organic compounds serve as electron donors. Furthermore, we found that EKT can remove H2S from the sediment and reduce H2S production in the sediment within EKT when compared to the case without EKT. These ensure that EKT can be used to remove H2S and control H2S production in the sediment.

Optimum reaction ratio of coal fly ash to blast furnace cement for effective removal of hydrogen sulfide.

Reducing hydrogen sulfide concentration in eutrophic marine sediments is crucial to maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. Managing fly ash, 750 million tons of which is generated annually throughout the world, is another serious environmental problem. In this study, we develop an approach that addresses both these issues by mixing coal fly ash from coal-fired power plants with blast furnace cement to remediate eutrophic sediments. The purpose of this study is to optimize the mixing ratio of coal fly ash and blast furnace cement to improve the rate of hydrogen sulfide removal based on scientific evidence obtained by removal experiments and XAFS, XRD, BET, and SEM images. In the case of 10 mg-S L-1 of hydrogen sulfide, the highest removal rate of hydrogen sulfide was observed for 87 wt% of coal fly ash due to decreased competition of adsorption between sulfide and hydroxyl ions. Whereas regarding 100 mg-S L-1, the hydrogen sulfide removal rate was the highest for 95 wt% of coal fly ash. However, for both concentrations, the removal rate obtained by 87 wt% and 95 wt% were statistically insignificant. The crushing strength of the mixture was over 1.2 N mm-2 when the coal fly ash mixing ratio was less than 95 wt%. Consequently, the mixing ratio of coal fly ash was optimized at 87 wt% in terms of achieving both high hydrogen sulfide removal rate and sufficient crushing strength.

Tyrosine triple mutated AAV2-BDNF gene therapy in a rat model of transient IOP elevation.

PURPOSE: We examined the neuroprotective effects of exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which provides protection to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in rodents, in a model of transient intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation using a mutant (triple Y-F) self-complementary adeno-associated virus type 2 vector encoding BDNF (tm-scAAV2-BDNF). METHODS: The tm-scAAV2-BDNF or control vector encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP; tm-scAAV2-GFP) was intravitreally administered to rats, which were then divided into four groups: control, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury only, I/R injury with tm-scAAV2-GFP, and tm-scAAV2-BDNF. I/R injury was then induced by transiently increasing IOP, after which the rats were euthanized to measure the inner retinal thickness and cell counts in the RGC layer. RESULTS: Intravitreous injection of tm-scAAV2-BDNF resulted in high levels of BDNF expression in the neural retina. Histological analysis showed that the inner retinal thickness and cell numbers in the RGC layer were preserved after transient IOP elevation in eyes treated with tm-scAAV2-BDNF but not in the other I/R groups. Significantly reduced glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining after I/R injury in the rats that received tm-scAAV2-BDNF indicated reduced retinal stress, and electroretinogram (ERG) analysis confirmed preservation of retinal function in the tm-scAAV2-BDNF group. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of neuroprotective gene therapy using tm-scAAV2-BDNF to protect the inner retina from transiently high intraocular pressure. An in vivo gene therapeutic approach to the clinical management of retinal diseases in conditions such as glaucoma, retinal artery occlusion, hypertensive retinopathy, and diabetic retinopathy thus appears feasible.

Estimation of hydrogen sulfide removal efficiency with granulated coal ash applied to eutrophic marine sediment using a simplified simulation model.

Hydrogen sulfide generated in eutrophic marine sediment is harmful for living organisms. It is therefore necessary to remove hydrogen sulfide from the sediment to restore benthic ecosystems. Previous studies revealed that granulated coal ash, which is a by-product of coal thermal electric power stations, could remove and oxidize hydrogen sulfide. In this study, we propose a simplified simulation model to estimate the hydrogen sulfide removal efficiency of granulated coal ash. Hydrogen sulfide concentrations in eutrophic marine sediment pore water with and without the application of granulated coal ash were calculated by the proposed model, and the outputs were compared with semi-field or field observation data. The model outputs reproduced the observed data well. Using the proposed model outputs, we suggest an optimum application dosage of granulated coal ash for remediating eutrophic marine sediment.

[Correlation of intraocular pressure variation after visual field examination with 24-hour intraocular pressure variations in primary open-angle glaucoma].

OBJECTIVES: We retrospectively examined intraocular pressure variations after visual field examination in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), together with its influencing factors and its association with 24-hour intraocular pressure variations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Subjects were 94 eyes (52 POAG patients) subjected to measurements of 24-hour intraocular pressure and of changes in intraocular pressure after visual field examination using a Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer. Subjects were classified into three groups according to the magnitude of variation (large, intermediate and small), and 24-hour intraocular pressure variations were compared among the three groups. Factors influencing intraocular pressure variations after visual field examination and those associated with the large variation group were investigated. RESULTS: Average intraocular pressure variation after visual field examination was -0.28 ± 1.90 (range - 6.0(-) + 5.0) mmHg. No significant influencing factors were identified. The intraocular pressure at 3 a.m. was significantly higher in the large variation group than other two groups (p < 0.001). Central corneal thickness was correlated with the large variation group (odds ratio = 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.07 ; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: No particular tendencies in intraocular pressure variations were found after visual field examination. Increases in intraocular pressure during the night might be associated with large intraocular pressure variations after visual field examination.

Field experiments on remediation of coastal sediments using granulated coal ash.

Field experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of Granulated Coal Ash (GCA) on remediation of coastal sediments in terms of removing phosphates and hydrogen sulfide. Phosphate concentrations in the sediment were kept below 0.2 mg/l after the application of GCA, whereas those in the control sites increased up to 1.0 mg/l. The concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the sediment was maintained at almost zero in the experimental sites (GCA application sites) for over one year, whereas it ranged 0.1-2.4 mg S L(-1) in control sites. Meanwhile, individual number of benthos increased in the experimental sites by several orders of magnitude compared to the control sites. The major process involved in hydrogen sulfide removal by GCA was thought to be the increase in pH, which suppresses hydrogen sulfide formation. From our findings, we concluded that GCA is an effective material for remediating organically enriched coastal sediment.

Effect of carteolol hydrochloride on 24-hour variation of intraocular pressure in normal-tension glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of carteolol hydrochloride (carteolol) on 24-h variations in intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS: Twelve patients with NTG were treated with carteolol 2% solution for >or=8 weeks; their pretreatment 24-h IOP variations, blood pressure (BP), and pulse rate (PR) were compared with those measured after the treatment period. RESULTS: Daytime IOP (at 07:00, 10:00, 13:00, and 16:00), maximum IOP, and the mean 24-h IOP were significantly reduced after treatment, as was the 24-h IOP range. Systolic BP in the morning and both systolic and diastolic BP in the afternoon were significantly decreased by the treatment, whereas no significant change of PR was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Carteolol had no effect on nocturnal IOP but significantly helped reduce daytime IOP, maximum IOP, mean 24-h IOP, and the 24-h IOP range. The drug exerted no statistically significant effect on the PR.