Development of advanced photon calibrator for Kamioka gravitational wave detector (KAGRA).

The Kamioka Gravitational wave detector (KAGRA) cryogenic gravitational-wave observatory has commenced joint observations with the worldwide gravitational wave detector network. Precise calibration of the detector response is essential for accurately estimating parameters of gravitational wave sources. A photon calibrator is a crucial calibration tool used in laser interferometer gravitational-wave observatory, Virgo, and KAGRA, and it was utilized in joint observation 3 with GEO600 in Germany in April 2020. In this paper, KAGRA implemented three key enhancements: a high-power laser, a power stabilization system, and remote beam position control. KAGRA employs a 20 W laser divided into two beams that are injected onto the mirror surface. By utilizing a high-power laser, the response of the detector at kHz frequencies can be calibrated. To independently control the power of each laser beam, an optical follower servo was installed for power stabilization. The optical path of the photon calibrator's beam positions was controlled using pico-motors, allowing for the characterization of the detector's rotation response. Additionally, a telephoto camera and quadrant photodetectors were installed to monitor beam positions, and beam position control was implemented to optimize the mirror response. In this paper, we discuss the statistical errors associated with the measurement of relative power noise. We also address systematic errors related to the power calibration model of the photon calibrator and the simulation of elastic deformation effects using finite element analysis. Ultimately, we have successfully reduced the total systematic error from the photon calibrator to 2.0%.

Recurrence of Liver Transplantation Combined With Lung and Diaphragm Resection for Alveolar Echinococcosis: A Case Report.

Liver transplantation (LT) for alveolar echinococcosis (AE) with multiple-organ involvement is controversial. We report on a 31-year-old female patient suffering from AE with liver, lung, and diaphragm involvement. After an "extended" resection (liver, lung, and diaphragm were performed) combined with LT, recurrence still occurred after 6 years and the patient presented with hemoptysis. Puncture, aspiration, injection, reaspiration, and drainage (PAIRD) were performed and the effect was instantaneous. To our knowledge, no such surgical strategy for AE has previously been reported. In spite of the high risk of recurrence, choosing this surgical method is acceptable for a fatal AE and the recurrence could be controlled.

Determination of macular hole size in relation to individual variabilities of fovea morphology.

PURPOSE: To determine the preoperative anatomic factors in macular holes and their correlation to hole closure. METHODS: Forty-six eyes with consecutive unilateral macular hole who had undergone surgery and followed up for at least 6 months were enrolled. Optical coherence tomography images and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) within 2 weeks prior to operation and 6 months after surgery were analyzed. The maximal hole dimension, foveal degeneration factors (inner nuclear layer cysts, outer segment (OS) shortening) and the widest foveolar floor size of the fellow eyes were measured. For overcoming preoperative individual variability of foveal morphology, an 'adjusted' hole size parameter (the ratio between the hole size and the fellow eye foveolar floor size) was used based on the fact that both eyes were morphologically symmetrical. RESULTS: Mean preoperative BCVA (logMAR) was 1.03±0.43 and the mean postoperative BCVA was 0.50±0.38 at 6 months. Preoperative BCVA is significantly associated with postoperative BCVA (P=0.0002). The average hole diameter was 448.9±196.8 µm and the average fellow eye foveolar floor size was 461.3±128.4 µm. There was a correlation between hole diameter and the size of the fellow eye foveolar floor (Pearson's coefficient=0.608, P<0.0001). The adjusted hole size parameter was 0.979±0.358 (0.761-2.336), which was a strong predictor for both anatomic (P=0.0281) and visual (P=0.0016) outcome. CONCLUSION: When determining the extent of preoperative hole size, we have to take into consideration the foveal morphologic variations among individuals. Hole size may be related to the original foveal shape, especially in relation to the centrifugal retraction of the foveal tissues.

The Elder's Right to Sight Collaborative: a new model of eye care delivery for the elderly.

Vision and visual impairment have a significant impact on older adults' daily function and safety within their homes and communities. Yet many do not seek out the necessary care to address their visual health. Many older adults want to age in places that require a supportive environment to compensate for changes in abilities and to promote healthy aging and quality of life. The Elder's Right to Sight Collaborative (ERTS) was established to gain insight into the role of the environment in maintaining the functional independence and safety of older adults with visual impairment and to understand the barriers to obtaining the necessary eye care services. The ERTS provides education, screening, environmental assessments, and simple tools to complete daily activities. The screening results indicate significant need for eye care services to this population. However, service delivery needs to be flexible to meet the needs of this population. A team approach to address education, eye care services, rehabilitation, environmental assessment, and social services is needed. Through education, accessible services, rehabilitation, and environmental modifications, a significant impact on an older adult's independence and quality of life can be attained.

Tissue microarray assessment of selenoprotein P expression in gastric adenocarcinoma.

This study investigated selenoprotein P expression, using immunohistochemistry, in gastric adenocarcinoma tissue microarrays constructed from 30 gastric adenocarcinoma specimens and 30 normal gastric tissues (controls). Selenoprotein P expression scores were significantly lower in gastric adenocarcinoma (17/30, 56.7%) than in control tissues (25/30, 83.3%). Selenoprotein P was significantly more likely to be expressed in well-to-moderately differentiated cases (13/17, 76.5%) than in cases with low differentiation (4/13, 30.8%) and there was no significant difference in selenoprotein P expression between tumour node metastasis (TNM) stage I - II (11/19, 57.9%) and TNM stage III (6/11, 54.5%). In conclusion, selenoprotein P expression was low in gastric adenocarcinoma tissues compared with control tissues and was related to the degree of gastric adenocarcinoma differentiation but not to TNM stage.

Objective evaluation of cataract progression associated with a high dose intravitreal triamcinolone injection.

PURPOSE: To investigate the progression of cataract after a high dose (25 mg) intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection in patients with macular oedema secondary to diabetes and retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: This prospective interventional case series study included 38 patients (76 eyes) with diabetic retinopathy or retinal vein occlusion diagnosed with clinical examination and fluorescein angiography. The patients were treated with 25 mg IVTA in their one eye with macular oedema and the fellow eyes served as a control. Patients were asked to return the next day and weekly for 1 month and monthly thereafter by 6 months post-operative. The progression of the cataract using photographic evaluation according to the Lens Opacities Classification System III was documented and statistical analysis was done using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the log-rank test. RESULTS: Among the 38 treated eyes, there was an increase of cataract degree by 1 grade at the end of 6 months in 10 patients. The types of progressed cataract were PSC in seven patients, cortical in six patients, and nuclear sclerosis in one patient. Six months after the injections, there was a significantly higher rate of progression of PSC (P=0.023, log-rank test) and cortical opacities (P=0.011) in the treated group while the progression of nuclear cataract was not significantly different between the treated eye and the control eye. CONCLUSION: A high-dose (25 mg) intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection induces the progression of cortical and posterior subcapsular opacity in patients with diabetic macular oedema and retinal vein occlusion.

Role of nuclear factor kappa B and reactive oxygen species in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of MCF-7 cells.

The microenvironment of the tumor plays an important role in facilitating cancer progression and activating dormant cancer cells. Most tumors are infiltrated with inflammatory cells which secrete cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). To evaluate the role of TNF-alpha in the development of cancer we studied its effects on cell migration with a migration assay. The migrating cell number in TNF-alpha-treated group is about 2-fold of that of the control group. Accordingly, the expression of E-cadherin was decreased and the expression of vimentin was increased upon TNF-alpha treatment. These results showed that TNF-alpha can promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of MCF-7 cells. Further, we found that the expression of Snail, an important transcription factor in EMT, was increased in this process, which is inhibited by the nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) inhibitor aspirin while not affected by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger N-acetyl cysteine. Consistently, specific inhibition of NFkappaB by the mutant IkappaBalpha also blocked the TNF-alpha-induced upregulation of Snail promoter activity. Thus, the activation of NFkappaB, which causes an increase in the expression of the transcription factor Snail is essential in the TNF-alpha-induced EMT. ROS caused by TNF-alpha seemed to play a minor role in the TNF-alpha-induced EMT of MCF-7 cells, though ROS per se can promote EMT. These findings suggest that different mechanisms might be responsible for TNF-alpha- and ROS-induced EMT, indicating the need for different strategies for the prevention of tumor metastasis induced by different stimuli.

Role of nuclear factor kappa B and reactive oxygen species in the tumor necrosis factor-a-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of MCF-7 cells

The microenvironment of the tumor plays an important role in facilitating cancer progression and activating dormant cancer cells. Most tumors are infiltrated with inflammatory cells which secrete cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). To evaluate the role of TNF-alpha in the development of cancer we studied its effects on cell migration with a migration assay. The migrating cell number in TNF-alpha-treated group is about 2-fold of that of the control group. Accordingly, the expression of E-cadherin was decreased and the expression of vimentin was increased upon TNF-alpha treatment. These results showed that TNF-alpha can promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of MCF-7 cells. Further, we found that the expression of Snail, an important transcription factor in EMT, was increased in this process, which is inhibited by the nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) inhibitor aspirin while not affected by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger N-acetyl cysteine. Consistently, specific inhibition of NFkB by the mutant IkBalpha also blocked the TNF-alpha-induced upregulation of Snail promoter activity. Thus, the activation of NFkB, which causes an increase in the expression of the transcription factor Snail is essential in the TNF-alpha-induced EMT. ROS caused by TNF-alpha seemed to play a minor role in the TNF-alpha-induced EMT of MCF-7 cells, though ROS per se can promote EMT. These findings suggest that different mechanisms might be responsible for TNF-alpha - and ROS-induced EMT, indicating the need for different strategies for the prevention of tumor metastasis induced by different stimuli.

Comparisons of intraocular-pressure- lowering efficacy and side effects of 2% dorzolamide and 1% brinzolamide.

Forty-one healthy volunteers were recruited for a study to compare the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficacy and side effects of 2% dorzolamide and 1% brinzolamide. In a randomized double-blind design, one eye received one drop of 2% dorzolamide and the other eye received one drop of 1% brinzolamide. The IOP and side effects were evaluated by Goldmann applanation tonometry and slit lamp biomicroscopy before administration, and 3, 7 and 14 days after the initial administration of eyedrops. The IOP decreased significantly from baseline for both drugs (p < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences between 2% dorzolamide and 1% brinzolamide either before or after eyedrop administration (p > 0.05). The most frequent side effect was ocular pain in the case of 2% dorzolamide and blurred vision in 1% brinzolamide. The results suggested that 2% dorzolamide and 1% brinzolamide have similar IOP-lowering efficacies with different side effects

Surgical treatment modalities of thyroid ophthalmopathy.

This report presents the use of various surgical treatment modalities in patients who were diagnosed as having thyroid ophthalmopathy. The records of 53 patients who received surgery because of thyroid ophthalmopathy at the Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine between Sept. 1996 and Jan. 2000 were retrospectively evaluated. Among the 53 patients, there were 30 females and 23 males. The mean ages of the patients were 40.8 +/- 17.1 years. Orbital wall decompression (52.8%) was the most frequently performed surgery followed by lid surgery (49.1%) and strabismus surgery (26.4%). Only one type of surgery was performed on 86.8% of the patients while 13.2% received more than one type of surgery. Among the many different types of surgeries possible in patients that have thyroid ophthalmopathy, orbital wall decompression, lid surgery, and strabismus surgery are the most commonly used surgical methods for treatment.

Serological evidence of hantavirus infections in Malaysia.

Hantaviruses are primarily rodent-borne and transmission is by inhalation of virus-contaminated aerosols of rodent excreta, especially urine and saliva. The genus Hantavirus, family Bunyaviridae, comprises at least 14 serotypes and the symptoms of clinical illness range from mild fever to severe hemorrhagic manifestations with renal complications. Many countries in Southeast Asia are unaware of the importance of hantavirus infections and give them low priority. Malaysia, like other countries in the region, has conducted very few studies on the epidemiology of hantaviruses - and even these were conducted in the 1980s. Using a more extensive range of hantavirus antigens, we conducted a seroprevalence study of rodents and humans and found further evidence of hantavirus infections. Moreover, the data from the antibody profiles strongly suggest the presence of different hantaviruses at the study sites.

New fixation device for photorefractive surgery and its effect on corneal epithelial wound healing.

PURPOSE: A new eyeball fixation device during photorefractive surgery was designed and tested. The device fixates the eyeball by means of a suction ring, and is then fixated to the headrest of the patient's chair via clipper and metal frames. METHODS: Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was performed on PMMA contact lenses placed over the patient's cornea (n=6) to evaluate smoothness of the ablated surface and on rabbit (n=24) and patient (n=30) corneas for evaluation of wound healing time. Decentration with fixation was examined using videokeratography after PRK. RESULTS: After fixation, only small amounts of corneal movement from the patient's pulsating heart were noted. The mean smoothness (root mean square) of the PMMA contact lens ablated surface was 0.43 +/- 0.16 microm in non-fixated eyes and 0.26 +/-0.05 microm in fixated eyes. Mean epithelial healing rate was 47.93 +/- 21.80 microm/hr in non-fixated rabbit eyes and 66.49 +/- 20 microm/hr in fixated rabbit eyes. Mean epithelial healing time was 3.47 +/- 1.11 days in non-fixated human eyes and 2.53 +/- 0.51 days in fixated human eyes. Mean decentration after PRK was 0.30 +/- 0.28 mm in fixated human eyes. CONCLUSION: Fixating the eyeball allows less movement of the eye and achieves a smoother ablation surface for more rapid epithelial healing after PRK.

A major outbreak of hantavirus infection in Belgium in 1995 and 1996.

Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a human disease characterized by flu-like symptoms, renal dysfunction, and in severe cases, haemorrhagic manifestations. The causative agents of HFRS are Hantaan (HTN), Seoul (SEO), Puumala (PUU) and Dobrava (DOB) hantaviruses. Hantavirus infections are of increasing importance in Europe. Outbreaks occur in Belgium with a 3- to 4-year interval with an increasing number of cases. We describe the largest outbreak so far in Belgium with 217 serologically and clinically confirmed cases in the period between October 1995 and December 1996. We demonstrated that the use of viral antigen derived from a local PUU-strain was able to detect significantly more sera positive for IgM in an immunofluorescence assay. Furthermore, although in some cases SEO, HTN and DOB antibody-reactivities were detected by ELISA, only PUU infections could be confirmed by neutralization test. The presence of an unknown hantavirus serotype circulating in Belgium should be considered.

Analysis of the factors affecting decentration in photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia.

To evaluate the relationship between ablation zone decentration measured by corneal topography and various factors such as sex, age, order of operation, preoperative sedative prescription, ablation diameter and depth, type of procedure (photorefractive keratectomy = PRK, laser in situ keratomileusis = LASIK), and the use of a passive eye tracker, we examined the data of 80 eyes in 50 patients. The patients received PRK (43 eyes in 30 patients) or LASIK (37 eyes in 20 patients), and were followed for 3 months postoperatively. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. The overall average ablation decentration from the pupil center was 0.43 +/- 0.27 mm, 0.35 +/- 0.22 mm in PRK and 0.47 +/- 0.30 mm in LASIK. Overall 91.3% of patients were decentered less than 0.75 mm and 95.0% were decentered less than 1.00 mm, while 93.9% of patients were decentered less than 0.75 mm in PRK and 88.7% were decentered less than 0.75 mm in LASIK. The most meridional displacement was toward the superonasal quadrant; 46% in PRK and 51% in LASIK. There was less decentration in males, in the 2nd-operated eye, in older age, PRK, in larger ablation diameter, and in shallower ablation depth, but these differences were not statistically significant.

A case of optic neuropathy treated by percutaneous trans-coronary angiography.

There are many risk factors involved in the development of ischemic optic neuropathy such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and vascular incompetence. Therefore, the treatment of ischemic optic neuropathy should not be solely based on proper diagnosis but should also involve a thorough and systemic investigation to identify those multifactorial possibilities, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. We report upon a patient who developed non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy following treatment of a sphenoethmoid mucocele, which lead to recovered vision and a satisfactory improvement of visual field defects, after percutaneous trans-coronary angiography with stent insertion of the coronary arteries.

Morphologic studies of the retina in a new diabetic model; SHR/N:Mcc-cp rat.

The pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy has not been fully explained. The earliest histological lesion is the loss of intramural pericytes and thickening of the basement membrane. Increased activity of the polyol pathway is a probable mechanism for these two abnormalities. Investigations have suffered from the lack of an exact animal model simulating the human condition. Examination of the retina in the spontaneously diabetic SHR/N:Mcc-cp rat demonstrated degeneration and loss of intramural pericytes, a progressive increase in basement membrane thickness, and microinfarctions with an area of non-perfusion. Therefore, this model may be used to clarify the biochemical mechanisms linking the metabolic abnormalities of diabetes and retinopathy.