Impact of quality of life on mortality risk in patients with esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the impact of quality of life (QoL) on mortality risk in patients with esophageal cancer. A literature search was conducted using the CINAHL, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Scopus databases for articles published from inception to December 2022. Observational studies that examined the association between QoL and mortality risk in patients with esophageal cancer were included. Subgroup analyses were performed for time points of QoL assessment and for types of treatment. Seven studies were included in the final analysis. Overall, global QoL was significantly associated with mortality risk (hazard ratio 1.02, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.04; p < 0.00004). Among the QoL subscales of QoL, physical, emotional, role, cognitive, and social QoL were significantly associated with mortality risk. A subgroup analysis by timepoints of QoL assessment demonstrated that pre- and posttreatment global and physical, pretreatment role, and posttreatment cognitive QoL were significantly associated with mortality risk. Moreover, another subgroup analysis by types of treatment demonstrated that the role QoL in patients with surgery, and the global, physical, role, and social QoL in those with other treatments were significantly associated with mortality risk. These findings indicate that the assessment of QoL in patients with esophageal cancer before and after treatment not only provides information on patients' condition at the time of treatment but may also serve as an outcome for predicting life expectancy. Therefore, it is important to conduct regular QoL assessments and take a proactive approach to improve QoL based on the results of these assessments.

Association between quality of life and mortality risk in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with breast cancer present with various problems that have an adverse effect on the quality of life (QOL). However, the association between the QOL and mortality among patients with breast cancer remains controversial. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine whether QOL impacts prognosis in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: The databases of CINAHL, Scopus, and PubMed databases were searched to retrieve observational studies that assessed the QOL and mortality risk in patients with breast cancer published before December 2022. RESULTS: Among the 119,061 articles retrieved, six observational studies were included in the meta-analysis. Physical QOL (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.07, p = 0.003), emotional QOL (HR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.03, p = 0.05), and role QOL (HR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.01, p = 0.007) showed significant associations with mortality risk. In contrast, global QOL, cognitive QOL, and social QOL showed no associations with mortality risk. Subgroup analysis performed according to treatment time points revealed that the post-treatment physical QOL was associated with mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: Physical QOL, emotional QOL, and role QOL are associated with mortality risk in patients with breast cancer. Furthermore, post-treatment physical QOL showed a more significant association with prolonged survival than pre-treatment physical QOL.

Pretreatment quality of life and survival in patients with lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although many studies have explored the correlation between quality of life and survival, none have reported this relationship for specific cancers assessed at distinct time points. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the impact of pretreatment Global Quality of Life (QOL) and functioning QOL, including physical, social, role, emotional, and cognitive QOLs, on mortality risk in patients with lung cancer. METHODS: A literature search was conducted across the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, and PubMed databases for articles published between their inception and December 2022. Subsequently, 11 studies were selected based on predefined eligibility criteria to investigate the relationship between pretreatment QOLs and mortality risk in patients with lung cancer. RESULTS: Pretreatment global, physical, social, role, and emotional QOLs were significantly associated with mortality risk as follows: Global QOL (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.08 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-1.13); Physical QOL (HR = 1.04 95% CI = 1.02-1.05); Social QOL (HR = 1.02 95% CI = 1.01-1.03; Role QOL (HR = 1.01 95% CI = 1.01-1.02); Emotional QOL (HR = 1.01 95% CI = 1.00-1.03). CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the importance of early QOL assessment after diagnosis as well as early provision of physical, social, and psychological support accommodating each patient's demands. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews registration number CRD42023398206, Registered on February 20, 2023.

Chronic subdural electrocorticography in nonhuman primates by an implantable wireless device for brain-machine interfaces.

Background: Subdural electrocorticography (ECoG) signals have been proposed as a stable, good-quality source for brain-machine interfaces (BMIs), with a higher spatial and temporal resolution than electroencephalography (EEG). However, long-term implantation may lead to chronic inflammatory reactions and connective tissue encapsulation, resulting in a decline in signal recording quality. However, no study has reported the effects of the surrounding tissue on signal recording and device functionality thus far. Methods: In this study, we implanted a wireless recording device with a customized 32-electrode-ECoG array subdurally in two nonhuman primates for 15 months. We evaluated the neural activities recorded from and wirelessly transmitted to the devices and the chronic tissue reactions around the electrodes. In addition, we measured the gain factor of the newly formed ventral fibrous tissue in vivo. Results: Time-frequency analyses of the acute and chronic phases showed similar signal features. The average root mean square voltage and power spectral density showed relatively stable signal quality after chronic implantation. Histological examination revealed thickening of the reactive tissue around the electrode array; however, no evident inflammation in the cortex. From gain factor analysis, we found that tissue proliferation under electrodes reduced the amplitude power of signals. Conclusion: This study suggests that subdural ECoG may provide chronic signal recordings for future clinical applications and neuroscience research. This study also highlights the need to reduce proliferation of reactive tissue ventral to the electrodes to enhance long-term stability.

Neurological Outcomes of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine whether chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) affects the risk of falls and physical function in patients with cancer. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in the CINAHL, Scopus, and PubMed databases for articles published from January 1950 to April 2022. Seven review authors retrieved studies using predetermined eligibility criteria, extracted the data, and evaluated the quality. RESULTS: Nine studies were included in the analysis. Patients with CIPN had a significantly higher risk of falls than those without CIPN (risk ratio = 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.18-1.62). Patients with CIPN had lower grip strength (standardized mean difference [SMD] =-0.42, 95% CIs = -0.70 to -0.14, P = .003), longer chair stand time (SMD = 0.56, 95% CIs = -0.01 to 1.17, P = .05), worse timed up and go test time (SMD = 0.79, 95% CIs = 0.41 to 1.17, P < .0001), and lower mean Fullerton Advanced Balance scale score (SMD = -0.81, 95% CIs = -1.27 to -0.36, P = .005) than patients without CIPN. There were no significant differences in gait speed (P = .38) or Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale score (P = .09) between patients with and without CIPN. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that patients with CIPN are prone to falls and impaired balance function and muscle strength.

Randomized Multicenter Clinical Trial Comparing 0.1% Brimonidine/0.5% Timolol Versus 1% Dorzolamide/0.5% Timolol as Adjuncts to Prostaglandin Analogues: Aibeta Crossover Study.

INTRODUCTION: This multicenter, randomized, comparative, and investigator-masked crossover clinical trial sought to compare the efficacy and tolerability of fixed combinations of 0.1% brimonidine/0.5% timolol (BTFC) versus 1% dorzolamide/0.5% timolol (DTFC) as adjunctive therapies to prostaglandin analogues. METHODS: A total of 110 patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension previously treated with prostaglandin analogue monotherapy were randomized to receive either BTFC or DTFC as adjunctive therapy for 8 weeks. These patients were then crossed over to the alternative treatment arm for another 8 weeks. The reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) (primary outcome), occurrence of adverse events, ocular discomfort after instillation, and patient preference (secondary outcomes) were recorded through patient interviews. RESULTS: BTFC instillation for 8 weeks reduced IOP by 3.55 mmHg, demonstrating non-inferiority to DTFC instillation (3.60 mmHg; P < 0.0001, mixed-effects model). Although adverse events were rare with both combinations, patients reported greater discomfort with DTFC than with BTFC (P < 0.0001). More patients preferred BTFC (P < 0.0001) over DTFC, as BTFC caused minimal or no eye irritation. CONCLUSION: As BTFC offered better tolerability than DTFC with comparable reduction in IOP, we recommend it as an alternative for patients who experience ocular discomfort with DTFC-prostaglandin analogue combination therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: jRCTs051190125.

Patients with glaucoma who require further reduction in intraocular pressure while undergoing monotherapy with prostaglandin analogue ophthalmic solution have been prescribed two enhanced treatment options: 0.1% brimonidine/0.5% timolol fixed combination ophthalmic solution (BTFC) and 1% dorzolamide/0.5% timolol fixed combination ophthalmic solution (DTFC). The Aibeta Crossover Study Group in Japan compared the efficacy and tolerability of fixed combinations of BTFC versus DTFC when an additional fixed combination ophthalmic solution was prescribed in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who had been treated with prostaglandin analogue monotherapy. We recruited 110 patients previously treated with prostaglandin analogue monotherapy at 20 clinical centers in Japan, then randomly assigned them to two alternative treatment groups: the BTFC to DTFC group or the DTFC to BTFC group, as an adjunctive therapy to prostaglandin analogues for total of 16 weeks. We compared the reduction in intraocular pressure, occurrence of side effects, eye discomfort after instillation, and patient preference between BTFC versus DTFC instillations. The intraocular pressure reduction of BTFC instillation was comparable to that of DTFC instillation, showing non-inferiority to DTFC (3.55 mmHg vs. 3.60 mmHg; P < 0.0001, mixed-effects model). Both eye drops caused few side effects; however, patients felt greater eye discomfort with DTFC than with BTFC (P < 0.0001). Because of less eye irritation, more patients preferred BTFC (P < 0.0001) over DTFC. We can recommend using BTFC for patients who feel eye discomfort with DTFC­prostaglandin analogue combination therapy.

Recent Findings in Physical Exercise for Cancer Survivors.

In recent years, the number of cancer survivors has been increasing each year due to advances in the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Cancer survivors present a variety of physical and psychological complications due to cancer and its treatment. Physical exercise is an effective nonpharmacological treatment for complications in cancer survivors. Furthermore, recent evidence has shown that physical exercise improves the prognosis of cancer survivors. The benefits of physical exercise have been widely reported, and guidelines for physical exercise for cancer survivors have been published. These guidelines recommend that cancer survivors engage in moderate- or vigorous-intensity aerobic exercises and/or resistance training. However, many cancer survivors have a poor commitment to physical exercise. In the future, it is necessary to promote physical exercise among cancer survivors through outpatient rehabilitation and community support.

Intracranial EEG Recordings of High-Frequency Activity From a Wireless Implantable BMI Device in Awake Nonhuman Primates.

OBJECTIVE: Wireless implantable brain machine interfaces (BMIs) are a promising tool to restore communication and motor functions for individuals with severe motor disability. Prior to clinical application, recording performance must be sufficiently confirmed by animal experiments. In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the performance of a novel BMI wireless device for recording brain activity in two nonhuman primates. METHOD: We customized a wireless device for implantable BMIs for clinical application. We used a battery instead of a wireless power charging system. Thirty-two electrodes were subdurally implanted over the left temporoparietal cortex. We evaluated the recording performance of the wireless device by auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) and ketamine-induced responses. RESULT: The devices successfully recorded broadband oscillatory activities up to the high-frequency band from the temporal cortex in two awake macaque monkeys. Spectral analysis of raw signals demonstrated that the devices detected characteristic results of a 40-Hz ASSR and prominent high-frequency band activity induced by ketamine injection. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the functionality of the wireless device in recording and transmitting electrocorticography (ECoG) signals with both millisecond precision and recording stability. SIGNIFICANCE: These results provide confidence that this wireless device can be a translational tool for other fundamental neuroscientific studies in free-moving models.

The Efficacy, Safety, and Satisfaction Associated with Switching from Brinzolamide or Brimonidine to Brinzolamide/Brimonidine in Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients.

We evaluated switching from brinzolamide 1% or brimonidine 0.1% to a fixed-combination of brinzolamide 1% and brimonidine 0.1%, and then determined the efficacy, safety, and satisfaction associated with these changes in glaucoma patients. This prospective, nonrandomized study evaluated a total of 31 enrolled glaucoma patients who underwent treatment with at least brinzolamide 1% or brimonidine 0.1%. Patients were administered a brinzolamide/brimonidine fixed-combination ophthalmic suspension (BBFC) after being switched from their original brinzolamide 1% or brimonidine 0.1% therapy. All other intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications currently being used were continued. IOP, superficial punctate keratopathy (SPK), and conjunctival hyperemia data obtained at baseline and then at 4 and 12 weeks were evaluated. To assess the changes in treatment satisfaction, this study utilized the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication-9 (TSQM-9). There was a significant decrease in the mean baseline IOP from 15.7 ± 4.9 mmHg to 13.6 ± 4.4 (p = 0.001) and 13.5 ± 3.9 mmHg (p = 0.002) at 4 and 12 weeks, respectively. Evaluation of the incidence of conjunctival hyperemia or SPK score showed there were no significant changes noted at any time point. The TSQM-9 score demonstrated there was a significant increase for effectiveness after switching from brinzolamide 1% or brimonidine 0.1% to BBFC. After switching from brinzolamide 1% or brimonidine 0.1% to BBFC, there was a significant decrease in the IOP. Patients were aware of the effectiveness of switching from brinzolamide 1% or brimonidine 0.1% to BBFC.

Electrocorticographic effects of acute ketamine on non-human primate brains.

Objective. Acute blockade of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors by ketamine induces symptoms and electrophysiological changes similar to schizophrenia. Previous studies have shown that ketamine elicits aberrant gamma oscillations in several cortical areas and impairs coupling strength between the low-frequency phase and fast frequency amplitude, which plays an important role in integrating functional information.Approach. This study utilized a customized wireless electrocorticography (ECoG) recording device to collect subdural signals from the somatosensory and primary auditory cortices in two monkeys. Ketamine was administered at a dose of 3 mg kg-1(intramuscular) or 0.56 mg kg-1(intravenous) to elicit brain oscillation reactions. We analyzed the raw data using methods such as power spectral density, time-frequency spectra, and phase-amplitude coupling (PAC).Main results. Acute ketamine triggered broadband gamma and high gamma oscillation power and decreased lower frequencies. The effect was stronger in the primary auditory cortex than in the somatosensory area. The coupling strength between the low phase of theta and the faster amplitude of gamma/high gamma bands was increased by a lower dose (0.56 mg kg-1iv) and decreased with a higher dose (3 mg kg-1im) ketamine.Significance. Our results showed that lower and higher doses of ketamine elicited differential effects on theta-gamma PAC. These findings support the utility of ECoG models as a translational platform for pharmacodynamic research in future research.

The Efficacy, Safety and Satisfaction Associated with Switching from Brinzolamide 1% and Brimonidine 0.1% to a Fixed Combination of Brinzolamide 1% and Brimonidine 0.1% in Glaucoma Patients.

We evaluated glaucoma patients for the efficacy, safety and satisfaction associated with switching from brinzolamide 1% and brimonidine 0.1% to a fixed combination of brinzolamide 1% and brimonidine 0.1%. A total of 22 glaucoma patients were enrolled and completed this prospective, nonrandomized study that evaluated patients who underwent treatment with at least brinzolamide 1% and brimonidine 0.1%. Patients on brinzolamide 1% and brimonidine 0.1% were switched to a brinzolamide/brimonidine fixed-combination ophthalmic suspension (BBFC). Evaluations of intraocular pressure (IOP), superficial punctate keratopathy (SPK) and conjunctival hyperemia were conducted at baseline and at 4 and 12 weeks. The Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication-9 (TSQM-9) was utilized to assess the change in treatment satisfaction. At baseline and at 4 and 12 weeks, the IOP was 15.0 ± 4.1, 14.8 ± 4.1 and 14.8 ± 4.1 mmHg, respectively. There were no significant differences observed at any of the time points. However, the SPK score significantly decreased at 12 weeks, even though no significant differences were observed for the conjunctival hyperemia incidence at any of the time points. After switching from brinzolamide 1% and brimonidine 0.1% to BBFC, there was a significant increase in the TSQM-9 score for convenience and global satisfaction. Both an improvement in the degree of SPK and an increase in treatment satisfaction occurred after switching from brinzolamide 1% and brimonidine 0.1% to BBFC, even though there were sustained IOP values throughout the 12-week evaluation period.

Long-term safety and effectiveness of stiripentol in patients with Dravet syndrome: Interim report of a post-marketing surveillance study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: A post-marketing surveillance study is investigating the safety and effectiveness of stiripentol during real-world clinical use in Japanese patients with Dravet syndrome (DS). METHODS: The safety and effectiveness of stiripentol were prospectively investigated over 104 weeks in all patients with DS who were administered the drug from November 2012 through July 2019 in Japan. Patients administered stiripentol for the first time after its approval were defined as "new patients," and those who continued to take the drug after participating in domestic clinical studies were defined as "continuous-use patients." The responder rate was defined as the proportion of patients with a ≥50 % decrease in seizure episodes at the time of assessment of stiripentol effectiveness compared with the 4 weeks before starting stiripentol. Overall improvement was evaluated by the physician in charge based on the comprehensive assessment of the patient's condition after stiripentol treatment. RESULTS: Of 411 patients whose information was collected, 410 patients (376 new and 34 continuous-use) were included in the safety analysis set, and 409 (376 new and 33 continuous-use) were included in the effectiveness analysis set. The median age of new patients was 7 years (range: 0.5-50 years) at the time of stiripentol initiation; 99 % of patients were taking concomitant sodium valproate and 93 % clobazam. Adverse drug reactions occurred in 70 % of new patients; the most common were somnolence (39 %) and loss of appetite (25 %). No new safety concerns due to stiripentol were observed. The responder rate in new patients was 43 % (110/257 patients) for convulsive seizures (tonic-clonic and/or clonic convulsions), 55 % (58/105 patients) for focal impaired awareness seizures, and 62 % (56/90 patients) for generalized myoclonic seizures and/or generalized atypical absence seizures. Overall improvement (after 104 weeks or at the time of drug discontinuation) was rated as marked or moderate in 160/353 of new patients (45 %). CONCLUSION: Stiripentol is safe and effective during long-term use in patients with DS in routine clinical practice.

OCT Signal Enhancement with Deep Learning.

PURPOSE: To establish whether deep learning methods are able to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of time-domain (TD) OCT images to approach that of spectral-domain (SD) OCT images. DESIGN: Method agreement study and progression detection in a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial for open-angle glaucoma (OAG), the United Kingdom Glaucoma Treatment Study (UKGTS). PARTICIPANTS: The training and validation cohort comprised 77 stable OAG participants with TD OCT and SD OCT imaging at up to 11 visits within 3 months. The testing cohort comprised 284 newly diagnosed OAG patients with TD OCT images from a cohort of 516 recruited at 10 United Kingdom centers between 2007 and 2010. METHODS: An ensemble of generative adversarial networks (GANs) was trained on TD OCT and SD OCT image pairs from the training dataset and applied to TD OCT images from the testing dataset. Time-domain OCT images were converted to synthesized SD OCT images and segmented via Bayesian fusion on the output of the GANs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bland-Altman analysis assessed agreement between TD OCT and synthesized SD OCT average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) measurements and the SD OCT RNFLT. Analysis of the distribution of the rates of RNFLT change in TD OCT and synthesized SD OCT in the two treatment arms of the UKGTS was compared. A Cox model for predictors of time-to-incident visual field (VF) progression was computed with the TD OCT and the synthesized SD OCT images. RESULTS: The 95% limits of agreement were between TD OCT and SD OCT were 26.64 to -22.95; between synthesized SD OCT and SD OCT were 8.11 to -6.73; and between SD OCT and SD OCT were 4.16 to -4.04. The mean difference in the rate of RNFLT change between UKGTS treatment and placebo arms with TD OCT was 0.24 (P = 0.11) and with synthesized SD OCT was 0.43 (P = 0.0017). The hazard ratio for RNFLT slope in Cox regression modeling for time to incident VF progression was 1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.21; P = 0.035) for TD OCT and 1.24 (95% CI, 1.08-1.39; P = 0.011) for synthesized SD OCT. CONCLUSIONS: Image enhancement significantly improved the agreement of TD OCT RNFLT measurements with SD OCT RNFLT measurements. The difference, and its significance, in rates of RNFLT change in the UKGTS treatment arms was enhanced and RNFLT change became a stronger predictor of VF progression.

Influence of extended depth of focus intraocular lenses on visual field sensitivity.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of EDOF IOLs, TECNIS Symfony® (Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc.), on visual field sensitivity and to compare the IOLs with other kinds of IOLs. METHODS: The subjects included the normal fellow eyes of patients who underwent the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) 30-2 with Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm Fast within 6 months after cataract due to glaucoma or suspected glaucoma. Each parameter of HFA was compared among eyes implanted with TENIS Symfony® (EDOF group), diffractive bifocal IOLs (bifocal group), and monofocal IOLs (monofocal group). RESULTS: The total of 76 eyes, including 24 eyes in the EDOF group, 26 eyes in the bifocal group, and 26 eyes in the monofocal group, were included in this study. Mean deviation (MD) of HFA was -0.24±0.58 dB in the EDOF group, -1.38±0.58 dB in the bifocal group, and 0.02±0.44 dB in the monofocal group. Foveal threshold (FT) of HFA was 35.8±1.6 dB in the EDOF group, 33.6±1.7 dB in the bifocal group, and 36.6±1.4 dB in the monofocal group. In both MD and FT, there was significant difference between the bifocal group and the others (p<0.001). There was no difference between the EDOF group and the monofocal group. Moreover, there was no significant difference between the three groups about pattern standard deviation (PSD) of HFA. CONCLUSION: TECNIS Symfony® may have little influence on visual field sensitivity, whereas diffractive bifocal IOLs decrease visual field sensitivity.

The usefulness of the Deep Learning method of variational autoencoder to reduce measurement noise in glaucomatous visual fields.

The aim of the study was to investigate the usefulness of processing visual field (VF) using a variational autoencoder (VAE). The training data consisted of 82,433 VFs from 16,836 eyes. Testing dataset 1 consisted of test-retest VFs from 104 eyes with open angle glaucoma. Testing dataset 2 was series of 10 VFs from 638 eyes with open angle glaucoma. A VAE model to reconstruct VF was developed using the training dataset. VFs in the testing dataset 1 were then reconstructed using the trained VAE and the mean total deviation (mTD) was calculated (mTDVAE). In testing dataset 2, the mTD value of the tenth VF was predicted using shorter series of VFs. A similar calculation was carried out using a weighted linear regression where the weights were equal to the absolute difference between mTD and mTDVAE. In testing dataset 1, there was a significant relationship between the difference between mTD and mTDVAE from the first VF and the difference between mTD in the first and second VFs. In testing dataset 2, mean squared prediction errors with the weighted mTD trend analysis were significantly smaller than those form the unweighted mTD trend analysis.

Usefulness of data augmentation for visual field trend analyses in patients with glaucoma.

AIM: To investigate the usefulness of data augmentation in visual field (VF) trend analyses in patients with glaucoma. METHOD: This study included 6380 VFs from 638 eyes of 417 patients with open-angle glaucoma. Various affine transformations were applied to augment the VF data: (1) rotation, (2) scaling, (3) vertical and horizontal shift and (4) a combination of these different transformations. Using pointwise linear regression (PLR), the total deviation (TD) values of a patient's 10th VF were predicted using TD values from shorter VF series (from first to third VFs (VF1-3) to first to ninth VFs (VF1-9)) with and without VF data augmentation, and the root mean squared error (RMSE) was calculated. RESULTS: With PLR, mean RMSE without VF augmentation averaged from 3.95 (VF1-3) to 19.01 (VF1-9) dB. The RMSE was significantly improved by applying the different transformations: (1) rotation (from VF1-3 to VF1-7), (2) scaling (from VF1-3 to VF1-6), (3) vertical and horizontal shifts (from VF1-3 to VF1-4) and (iv) a combination of these (from VF1-3 to VF1-7). Progression rates in VF1-10 had better agreement with those in shorter VF series when a combination of affine transformation was applied. The differences in rates were between 1.9 (VF1-3) and 0.39 (VF1-9) dB if augmentation was used, which was significantly smaller than that observed when augmentation was not applied (from 2.6 with VF1-3 to 0.26 dB with VF1-9). CONCLUSION: It is useful to apply VF data augmentation techniques when predicting future VF progression in glaucoma using PLR, especially with short VF series.

Minimal Tissue Reaction after Chronic Subdural Electrode Implantation for Fully Implantable Brain-Machine Interfaces.

There is a growing interest in the use of electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals in brain-machine interfaces (BMIs). However, there is still a lack of studies involving the long-term evaluation of the tissue response related to electrode implantation. Here, we investigated biocompatibility, including chronic tissue response to subdural electrodes and a fully implantable wireless BMI device. We implanted a half-sized fully implantable device with subdural electrodes in six beagles for 6 months. Histological analysis of the surrounding tissues, including the dural membrane and cortices, was performed to evaluate the effects of chronic implantation. Our results showed no adverse events, including infectious signs, throughout the 6-month implantation period. Thick connective tissue proliferation was found in the surrounding tissues in the epidural space and subcutaneous space. Quantitative measures of subdural reactive tissues showed minimal encapsulation between the electrodes and the underlying cortex. Immunohistochemical evaluation showed no significant difference in the cell densities of neurons, astrocytes, and microglia between the implanted sites and contralateral sites. In conclusion, we established a beagle model to evaluate cortical implantable devices. We confirmed that a fully implantable wireless device and subdural electrodes could be stably maintained with sufficient biocompatibility in vivo.