Comparison of Distance-Based Uncorrected Visual Acuity Based on the Optical Profile of Same Platform IOLs.

Purpose: To compare and evaluate uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) from far to near distance for four different optical designs of intraocular lenses (IOLs), developed on the same IOL platform. Patients and Methods: In a cohort of 121 patients, who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery in Zengyo Suzuki Eye Clinic, Japan, between June 2018 and November 2023, and who received a single-piece TECNIS OptiBlue™ platform series IOL, the following four groups were established based on the IOL implant type: ZCB00V (TE), ZXR00V (SF), DFR00V (SG), and DIB00V (EH). UCVA at 5 m, 1 m, 70 cm, 50 cm, 40 cm, and 30 cm, as well as contrast sensitivity (with and without glare), was compared at one month post-operation. Results: Regarding diffractive IOLs, patients in the SG group demonstrated significantly improved visual acuity at 5 m, 50 cm, 40 cm, and 30 cm, while those in SF group performed significantly better at 1 m. Among non-diffractive IOLs, patients in the EH group demonstrated significantly improved visual acuity scores at 1 m, 70 cm, 40 cm, and 30 cm, compared to individuals in the TE group, with comparable results between the two groups at 5 m and 50 cm. Patients in the SF and EH groups achieved similar results for visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, while those in the SG group exhibited a distinctive decrease in contrast sensitivity (with glare) relative to the other three groups. Conclusion: DFR00V seemingly provides excellent UCVA from near to far distances, aiming for spectacle independence, although at the potential cost of decreased contrast sensitivity compared to the other three IOL types. Furthermore, although ZXR00V and DIB00V differ lens structures, they may nonetheless provide similar visual quality and spectacle independence in daily life.

The study focused on the TECNIS platform, specifically the OptiBlue lens, which is available primarily in Japan. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) from far to near distance was compared and evaluated among four optical designs of intraocular lenses (IOLs), developed on the same IOL platform.

Suspected Aspergillus nodule histologically consistent with pulmonary nodular lymphoid hyperplasia:a case report.

Aspergillus nodules (AN) are an unusual form of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. On the other hand, pulmonary nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (PNLH) is classified as a reactive pulmonary lymphoproliferative disorder. A 65-year-old male was referred to our hospital due to a nodule in the left upper lobe. Histologically, a mixture of prominent lymphoid follicular formation, and hyaline necrosis were observed. Grocott staining revealed morphological forms of Aspergillus spp. in the necrosis. The final clinical diagnosis was suspected AN histologically consistent with PNLH. This case suggests that there may be PNLH cases in which local infection with Aspergillus contributes to its pathophysiology. J. Med. Invest. 70 : 499-502, August, 2023.

Transient and Recurrent Pulmonary Infiltrations Associated with Familial Mediterranean Fever.

Chest symptoms and pleural effusion due to serositis in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) are occasionally misdiagnosed as acute pneumonia. However, the actual pulmonary involvement of FMF is extremely rare. A 67-year-old man was referred to our hospital due to repeated and transient anterior chest pain. Chest images revealed a moderate amount of pericardial fluid, slight bilateral pleural effusion, and infiltrations in both lower lung lobes. Colchicine treatment without antibiotics rapidly improved these symptoms and findings. Pericarditis, pleurisy and the response to colchicine indicated FMF. FMF should be considered as a causative disease of pulmonary infiltrations, especially if it occurs repeatedly.

[Effects of anticoagulants and storage temperature on immature platelet fraction % (IPF%) values in stored samples measured by the automated hematology analyzer, XE-5000--utility of CTAD-anticoagulation and room temperature storage].

Measurement of reticulated platelet percentage (RP%) is thought to be a useful marker for differential diagnosis and analysis of platelet kinetics in patients with thrombocytopenic disorders. Two methods are used to detect RP; flow cytometric method and immature platelet fraction (IPF) method using automated hematology analyzers. Although IPF% measured by the automated hematology analyzers is simple and convenient, we already reported that IPF% values were highly fluctuated in stored whole blood sample with EDTA-2K at 4 degrees C day by day. In this study we investigated the stability of IPF% in blood samples obtained from 11 patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and 19 healthy volunteers using the automated hematology analyzer, XE-5000 (Sysmex) under various storage conditions. EDTA-2K, 3.13% sodium citrate, acid-citrate dextrose solution (ACD), citrate-theophylline-adenosine-dipyridamole solution (CTAD), or sodium fluoride was used as an anticoagulant. When blood samples obtained from healthy subjects were stored at 4 degrees C, IPF% values markedly increased in a time-dependent manner by any anticoagulant examined. On the other hand, there was no significant or only slight difference in IPF% values at room temperature (RT) storage except sodium fluoride. However, in patients with ITP the elevated IPF% values fluctuated widely in EDTA-2K, sodium citrate and ACD-anticoagulated samples even at RT storage. In contrast, IPF% values in CTAD samples stored at RT were highly stable in all patients with ITP up to 4 day storage. These results suggest that the measurement of IPF% by XE-5000 provides quite stable data up to 4 day-storage in ITP patients as well as healthy subjects under CTAD-anticoagulation and RT storage conditions.

[Comparison between two methods for the measurement reticulated platelet and their clinical significance--flow cytometry (FCM) method and IPF method Using automated hematology analyzer (XE-2000)].

Reticulated platelet (RP) is thought to be a useful marker for differential diagnosis and analysis of platelet kinetics in patients with thrombocytopenia. In this study, we compared two methods for the measurement of RP: flow cytometric (FCM) method and immature platelet fraction (IPF) method using automated hematology analyzer (XE-2000). There was a relatively good correlation between RP% measured by FCM method and IPF% measured by IPF method in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (Y = 0.806X-0.050, r = 0.634, p < 0.001). We then measured RP% and IPF% in 61 patients with ITP and 27 patients with aplastic anemia (AA). For the differential diagnosis for ITP, the sensitivity (82%) and specificity (93%) of FCM method were better than those of IPF method (sensitivity 67% and specificity 63%). Our data demonstrate the significant difference between two methods by analyzing clinical samples in parallel.

Urine flow cytometer quantification of leukocytes in samples containing a large proportion of lymphocytes.

OBJECTIVE: We compared leukocyte counts obtained by cytometric analysis and Fuchs-Rosenthal (FR) chamber counting in different proportions of lymphocytes (Lym%) suspensions and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). DESIGN AND METHODS: UF-100 (UF) was evaluated. For preparation of cell suspensions, gradient density centrifugation method was used. RESULTS: The regression equation for UF and FR chamber counting of the cell suspensions was y=0.88x+18.8 WBC/microL (r=0.832, n=106). For a few high Lym% samples, markedly underestimated WBC counts were obtained by UF. CONCLUSIONS: Underestimated WBC count is due not to systematic error but to random error. Counts of the "other" population by UF may be useful for detection of underestimated samples.

[Fragmented red cells are the major cause of spuriously high platelet counts in patients with fragmented red cells when counts are obtained by automated blood cell counter].

Platelet counts measured by automated blood cell counter often show spuriously high values when measuring samples contain particles of equal size to platelets. The major cause of spuriously high platelet counts in samples with fragmented red cells (FRC) is thought to be the FRC themselves. We studied the correlation between FRC and spuriously high platelet counts in 40 patients demonstrating FRC on blood smears. FRC were measured by manual hemocytometry and by flow cytometry using a monoclonal antibody against glycophorin A (GPA method). There was a significant correlation between spuriously high platelet counts and FRC by manual hemocytometry (r=0.60, p<0.001) or FRC by the GPA method (r=0.45, p<0.005). These data suggest that FRC are the major cause of spuriously high platelet counts in samples with FRC.

[A case of pseudothrombocytopenia due to platelet cold agglutinins].

We report a case of pseudothrombocytopenia due to platelet cold agglutinins. Platelet counts were decreased in blood drawn in a tube without anti-coagulant just after withdrawal as well as in blood drawn in a tube with anti-coagulant, such as EDTA-2K, MgSO4, citrate or heparin. In our case, platelet aggregates were noted on blood-smear made from blood samples obtained with and without anti-coagulant. RBC and WBC counts were within the normal range. Platelet aggregates mainly consisted of 2-5 platelets. Patient plasma agglutinated normal platelets at a temperature below 10 degrees C. Immunoglobulin class was determined as IgM by flow cytometry.

[Usefulness of immunoplatelet measurement using the flow cytometric method for accurate platelet counting in hematological patients with severe thrombocytopenia].

We measured platelet counts in 95 patients with hematological disorders accompanied by thrombocytopenia (platelet counts < 5.0 x 10(4)/microliter) including 35 patients with severe thrombocytopenia(platelet counts < 2.0 x 10(4)/microliter). We used four methods based on different principles and compared the results, i.e., the flow cytometric method (BEADS method) utilizing platelet-specific monoclonal antibody (SZ2, antiGPIb) in conjunction with fluorescent reference beads (Flow-Count Fluorospheres), manual hemocytometry, and two automated blood cell counters, the NE-8000 (impedance method) and the Technicon H-2 (optical method). The BEADS method was superior to the other methods in linearity of serial dilutions, and the coefficient variations of the BEADS method(2.5-5.2%) were superior to the other methods. The platelet counts measured by the automated blood cell counters were higher(0.6-0.9 x 10(4)/microliter) than those by the BEADS method and manual hemocytometry. Furthermore, the BEADS method was able to measure accurate platelet counts in samples containing red blood cell fragments. The BEADS method may be an accurate and useful method for measuring samples with severe thrombocytopenia, and, especially, samples containing red blood cell fragments.