Improvement of meal-related symptoms and epigastric pain in patients with functional dyspepsia treated with acotiamide was associated with acylated ghrelin levels in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to clarify whether acotiamide and rabeprazole combination therapy can improve clinical symptoms, gastric emptying, and satisfaction with treatment in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients more effectively than acotiamide or rabeprazole monotherapy alone. We also aimed to determine whether acotiamide affects these changes via its effect on gastric emptying and appetite-related hormones such as ghrelin. METHODS: We used Rome III criteria to evaluate upper abdominal symptoms and anxiety by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Gastric motility was evaluated by the (13) C-acetate breath test. Eighty-one FD patients were treated with acotiamide (300 mg/day) (n = 35), acotiamide (300 mg/day) and rabeprazole (10 mg/day) (n = 28), or rabeprazole (10 mg/day) (n = 18) for a period of 4 weeks and followed after 4 weeks of no treatment. Adenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, leptin and ghrelin levels were measured in all FD patients. KEY RESULTS: Acotiamide and rabeprazole combination therapy significantly improved postprandial distress syndrome (PDS)-like symptoms (p = 0.018, p = 0.04 and p = 0.041, respectively) and epigastric pain (p = 0.024) as wells as STAI-state scores (p = 0.04) compared to rabeprazole monotherapy. Both acotiamide monotherapy, and acotiamide taken in combination with rabeprazole, significantly (p = 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively) improved satisfaction with treatment, compared to rabeprazole monotherapy. Acotiamide and rabeprazole combination therapy had no significant effect on ACTH and cortisol levels in FD patients. Of interest, acotiamide monotherapy, and acotiamide and rabeprazole combination therapy, significantly (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.018, respectively) increased acylated ghrelin/total ghrelin ratios and significantly (p = 0.04) improved impaired gastric emptying compared to rabeprazole monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Further studies are warranted to clarify how acotiamide treatment improves clinical symptoms in FD patients.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: post-infectious functional dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of functional dyspepsia (FD) following infectious gastroenteritis has not been systematically reviewed. AIM: To conduct a systematic review and calculate the summary odds ratio (OR) for the development of FD following infectious gastroenteritis, as compared to a control population. METHODS: Published studies in PubMed, EmBASE, and Cochrane Database and abstracts from standard sources were screened for eligible studies. Data from studies meeting inclusion criteria were pooled for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Nineteen studies were eligible for inclusion. The mean prevalence of FD following acute gastroenteritis (AGE) was 9.55% (FD, n = 909; AGE, n = 9517) in adult populations. The summary OR for the development of post-infectious FD was 2.54 (95% CI = 1.76-3.65) at more than 6 months after AGE, as compared to the prevalence in controls within the same population. This is compared with the summary OR (3.51; 95% CI = 2.05-6.00) for the development of post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the same population at more than 6 months after AGE. There was significant statistical heterogeneity with an I(2) of 72.8% for the summary OR of post-infectious FD. Several pathogens, including Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157, Campylobacter jejuni, Giardia lamblia and Norovirus have been shown to be associated with post-infectious FD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Infectious gastroenteritis is associated with an increased risk for subsequent dyspepsia as well as for irritable bowel syndrome. Post-infectious FD and post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome may represent different aspects of the same pathophysiology. Further studies will be needed to determine this.

Nizatidine improves clinical symptoms and gastric emptying in patients with functional dyspepsia accompanied by impaired gastric emptying.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In this crossover study, we investigated whether nizatidine, a H(2)-receptor antagonist, can alleviate clinical symptoms and gastric emptying in patients with Rome III-based functional dyspepsia (FD) with or without impaired gastric emptying. METHODS: We enrolled 30 patients presenting with FD symptoms (epigastric pain syndrome, n = 6; postprandial distress syndrome, n = 24). Rome III-based FD patients were treated with nizatidine (300 mg/day) or placebo for 4 weeks in a crossover trial. Gastric motility was mainly evaluated with the T(max) value using the (13)C-acetate breath test. Meal-related symptoms were defined as postprandial fullness and early satiation. Gastroesophageal symptom was defined as a burning feeling rising from the stomach or lower chest up toward the neck. Acylated- and desacylated ghrelin levels were evaluated by the ELISA method. Clinical symptoms, gastric emptying and ghrelin levels were evaluated at three different points during the study (pretreatment, after 4 weeks former treatment and after 4 weeks later treatment). The primary end point of this study was to determine whether nizatidine would improve clinical symptoms and gastric emptying in FD patients with or without impaired gastric emptying via affecting ghrelin levels. RESULTS: Meal-related symptoms of the patients treated with nizatidine improved significantly (21/30; 70%) compared to those treated with placebo (3/30; 10%). In addition, nizatidine treatment also significantly improved gastroesophageal symptoms (16/30; 53%) compared to those treated with placebo (0/30; 0%). Nizatidine treatment in patients with FD accompanied by impaired gastric emptying significantly improved clinical symptoms and T(max) value as a marker of gastric emptying (10/11, 91%; 9/11, 82%) compared to placebo therapy, respectively. There were no significant differences in ghrelin levels between nizatidine treatment and placebo therapy. CONCLUSION: Nizatidine administration significantly improved both gastric emptying and clinical symptoms in FD patients with impaired gastric emptying.

G-protein ß3 subunit 825CC genotype is associated with postprandial distress syndrome with impaired gastric emptying and with the feeling of hunger in Japanese.

BACKGROUND: G-protein dysfunction related alteration of intracellular signal transduction might be linked to various abnormalities of functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) as well as G-protein is also key signaling molecule sensorimotor functions in the GI tract. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the correlation between gastric emptying and GNß3 and 5-HTs polymorphisms in functional dyspepsia (FD) as defined by Rome III classification. METHODS: Seventy-four patients presenting with typical symptoms of FD (epigastric pain syndrome: EPS, n=24; postprandial distress syndrome: PDS, n = 51) and sixty-four healthy volunteers were enrolled. Gastric motility was evaluated with the T(max) value using the (13) C-acetate breath test. We used Rome III criteria to evaluate upper abdominal symptoms and SRQ-D scores to determine depression status. GNß3-C825T, 5-HT(1A) -C1019G, 5-HT(2A) -G1438A, 5-HT(3A) -C42T, and 5-HT(4A) -G353+6A polymorphisms were analyzed in DNA from blood samples of enrolled subjects. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction. KEY RESULTS: There was a significant relationship (P=0.045) between GNß3 825CC genotype and PDS patients without gastro-esophageal reflux symptoms with impaired gastric emptying. In Japanese, GNß3 825CC genotype in FD patients was significantly associated (P=0.0485) with the feeling of hunger compared with GNß3 825CT and TT genotypes. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Our results suggest that the GNß3 825CC genotype is significantly associated with PDS patients without gastro-esophageal reflux with impairments of gastric emptying and also with the feeling of hunger in patients with FD. Further studies are needed to clarify whether the GNß3 825CC genotype is linked to disturbances of gastric emptying via altered signal transduction responses.

Duodenogastric reflux induced by endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) may cause excessive duodenogastric reflux (DGR) in a similar manner to distal gastrectomy, particularly after antral resections. We aimed to examine the occurrence of DGR after ESD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with gastric neoplasm for whom ESD was indicated were categorized according to lesion site: the antral group (lower [L] stomach, n = 46) and the nonantral group (upper or middle [U or M] stomach, n = 49). Endoscopy was performed before ESD, the day after ESD, and 3 months after ESD, and the fasting bile acid concentration (BAC) in the gastric juice was analyzed. RESULTS: BAC values showed significant interaction between time point and group, although this association differed in the antral and nonantral groups. BACs on the day after ESD were higher in the antral group than in the nonantral group, but not the pre-ESD and 3 months post-ESD levels. In the antral group only, fasting BACs increased significantly the day after ESD and decreased to baseline levels 3 months post-ESD. There was also a correlation between BAC and lesion location in the antral subgroups, with significantly higher BACs found the day after ESD in patients with lesser curvature lesions. CONCLUSIONS: ESD of lesions in the antral lesser curvature may lead to a transient early increase in DGR. However, ESD does not result in long-term DGR, a factor that is known to increase the risk of carcinogenesis following gastrectomy.

Chemopreventive effect of celecoxib in gastric cancer.

COX (cyclooxygenase) is one of the key enzymes involved in the synthesis of a variety of prostaglandins (PGs), some of which have been strongly linked to inflammation. One of its two well-known isoforms, COX-2, is an inducible enzyme whose induction and expression is dynamically regulated by growth factors, mitogens, and tumor promoters. Several animal and clinical studies have reported the chemopreventive effect of celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor; and in particular, a few studies have shown that celecoxib prevents the development of gastric cancer. Administration of celecoxib also showed increases in cardiovascular risk and disruption of renal physiology. Therefore, studies hoping to clarify how selective COX-2 inhibitors modulate gastric cancer must keep in mind that coxibs have also been linked to serious cardiovascular events and disruption of renal physiology.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and macrophage cyclooxygenase 2 expression in colonic adenoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression in subepithelial macrophages of colorectal adenoma has been suggested as the first in a series of steps leading to colorectal tumorigenesis. We tested the hypothesis that chemokines released from human colorectal adenoma epithelium might be involved in COX-2 expression in macrophages of the lamina propria. METHODS: Endoscopic samples of sporadic colorectal adenomas were tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for chemokines involved in macrophage chemotaxis. Localisation of adenoma macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and COX-2 were determined by immunohistochemistry. The effects of MCP-1, in the presence or absence of celecoxib, on COX-2 expression, and prostaglandin (PG) E(2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) release, were examined in human macrophages isolated from peripheral blood. RESULTS: MCP-1 levels were markedly higher in adenoma with mild-moderate dysplasia (129.7 (19.9) pg/mg protein) and severe dysplasia (227.9 (35.4) pg/mg protein) than in normal colonic mucosa (55.8 (4.2) pg/mg protein). Other chemokine levels, macrophage inflammatory proteins (MIP)-1alpha and MIP-1beta, and the chemokine regulated on activation of normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) did not vary significantly between adenoma and normal mucosa. MCP-1 levels in both adenoma and normal colonic mucosa increased significantly three hours after tissue cultivation in vitro. MCP-1 immunoreactivity was restricted to the adenoma epithelium, with no reactivity seen in adjacent normal epithelial cells. MCP-1 stimulated COX-2 expression and PGE(2) and VEGF release in human macrophages. Celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, inhibited MCP-1-induced PGE(2) and VEGF release in macrophages. Addition of exogenous PGE(2) reversed this inhibitory effect on VEGF release, suggesting that MCP-1 in adenoma epithelial cells might be involved in COX-2 expression and subsequent macrophage activation. CONCLUSIONS: MCP-1 in colorectal adenoma epithelial cells might be involved in macrophage migration and COX-2 expression, leading to the subsequent development of colonic adenoma.

Preventive therapy for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced ulcers in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the current situation and a prospective controlled-study of the preventive effects of lansoprazole or famotidine.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of evidence for the efficacy of preventive medications for peptic ulcers (PUs) among long-term users of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in Japan. AIM: To estimate the preventive effect by normal dose, not high-dose histamine-H2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) for NSAID-induced ulcers. METHODS: We designed two different studies to assess the efficacy of anti-ulcer agents in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients treated over a long term with NSAIDs. An investigative survey divided patients into those not taking anti-ulcer agents (non-medication group); those taking mucosal protective agents (mucosal protectant group), H2RA (H2RA group), proton pump inhibitors (PPI group), or a prostaglandin E1 analog (PG) (PG group). The second study compared prospectively the preventive effects of either famotidine 20 mg bd (famotidine group) or lansoprazole 15 mg daily (lansoprazole group) in patients with PU scars. RESULTS: The prevalence of PU in the H2RA group was significantly lower compared to the mucosal protectant group (P < 0.05), and the mucosal protectant group was not significantly different to the non-medication group. The prospective study revealed that the PU onset rate of the famotidine group was 8% (1/13), and lansoprazole group was 15% (2/13), indicating no significant differences between the two. CONCLUSIONS: In Japan, normal-dose H2RA is expected to be a new PU preventive treatment strategy in patients requiring long-term NSAID therapy.

Implications of corpus gastritis, atrophy and cyclooxygenase in the development of gastric erosions after curing Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori eradication decreases recurrence of peptic ulcers with marked improvement in histological inflammation, but gastric mucosal injuries may be developed even after eradication. PURPOSE: To investigate the mechanisms responsible for the development of gastric erosions after eradication, we analysed the relationship between clinicopathological risk factors and the occurrence of gastric erosion after curing H. pylori infection. PATIENTS: Sixty patients underwent endoscopy before, and 3, 6 and 12 months after the completion of H. pylori eradication. METHODS: Risk factors associated with the development of gastric erosions after eradication were assessed by multivariate analysis, and cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 immunoreactivity was histologically examined in the gastric mucosa before and after eradication. RESULTS: The cumulative prevalence of gastric erosions after H. pylori eradication was 38.3% within 1 year. Using multivariate analysis, corpus gastritis scores (inflammation score+activity score), corpus atrophy scores and an age of more than 50 years were found to be independent factors associated with the development of gastric erosion after eradication with odds ratios of 7.39, 0.13 and 5.00, respectively. Cyclooxygenase-2 immunoreactivity of the corpus was decreased for the non-erosion group after eradication, but not for the erosion group. CONCLUSIONS: Severe gastritis or less severe atrophy in oxyntic glands but not in pyloric glands before eradication may be involved in the development of gastric erosions after curing H. pylori infection.

Peripapillary crescent enlargement in highly myopic eyes evaluated by fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography.

AIMS: To evaluate angiographic features of myopic crescents using fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (IA). METHODS: FA and IA angiograms of 88 highly myopic eyes (47 consecutive patients) were reviewed. The follow up period ranged from 5-28 years. RESULTS: FA revealed two zones of the myopic crescent: a consistently hypofluorescent inner zone and an outer zone with delayed choroidal filling. IA revealed dislocation of the Zinn-Haller ring to the border between the two zones. Myopic crescent enlargement occurred in 68.1%. Only the outer zone increased significantly in most of the eyes with enlarged crescents. CONCLUSIONS: The inner zone might develop as a result of mechanical stretching, and the outer zone might be the result a secondary circulatory disturbance and mechanical stretching.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) released from Helicobacter pylori stimulated gastric epithelial cells induces cyclooxygenase 2 expression and activation in T cells.

BACKGROUND: and aims: To clarify the interaction between gastric epithelial and mucosal T cells, we examined the role of cytokines released from epithelial cells in response to Helicobacter pylori water extract protein (HPWEP) in regulating T cell cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression and activation. METHODS: Media from MKN-28 cells incubated with HPWEP for 48 hours were added to Jurkat T cells and human peripheral T cells. C-C and CXC chemokine concentrations in MKN-28 cell media, and COX-2 expression, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), and interleukin (IL)-4 secretions in T cells were determined by western blot analysis and ELISA methods. Distributions of COX-2 positive T cells and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in tissue specimens with H pylori associated gastritis were determined as single or double labelling by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: MCP-1, IL-7, IL-8, and RANTES were detected in media from MKN-28 cells incubated with HPWEP. Media as a whole, and MCP-1 alone, stimulated COX-2 expression and peripheral T cell proliferation. Anti-MCP-1 antibody inhibited media stimulated COX-2 mRNA expression in Jurkat T cells. Media stimulated IFN-gamma but not IL-4 secretion from peripheral T cells, while MCP-1 stimulated IL-4 but not IFN-gamma secretion. Both stimulated cytokine release, and peripheral T cell proliferation was partially inhibited by NS-398, a specific COX-2 inhibitor. In mucosa with gastritis, COX-2 was expressed in T cells and MCP-1 was localised mainly in epithelial and mononuclear cells. MCP-1 levels and the intensity of COX-2 expression in tissue samples were closely related. CONCLUSIONS: Cytokines such as MCP-1, released from gastric epithelial cells in response to HPWEP, seem to modulate T cell immune responses, at least in part via COX-2 expression.

Patchy atrophy and lacquer cracks predispose to the development of choroidal neovascularisation in pathological myopia.

AIMS: To determine the incidence and predisposing findings for choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) in a large series of highly myopic patients. METHODS: The medical records of 218 consecutive patients (325 eyes) with myopic fundus changes in the macula were reviewed. The incidence of CNV during a follow up of at least 3 years of highly myopic patients and identification of predisposing findings for the development of myopic CNV were examined. RESULTS: Among 325 highly myopic eyes examined, 33 eyes (10.2%) developed myopic CNV. The incidence was higher (34.8%) among the fellow eyes of patients with pre-existing CNV than among eyes of patients without pre-existing CNV (6.1%). CNV developed in 3.7% with diffuse chorioretinal atrophy, in 20.0% with patchy atrophy, and in 29.4% with lacquer cracks. CONCLUSION: Approximately one in 10 highly myopic eyes developed myopic CNV in average 130.2 months. Patchy atrophy and lacquer cracks were shown to be important predisposing findings for CNV development.

Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori-induced cyclo-oxygenase-2 aggravates NSAID-caused gastric damage in Mongolian gerbils.

BACKGROUND: The effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced gastric mucosal injury is controversial. AIM: To examine the effect of the interaction between H. pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on gastric mucosal injury. METHODS: Mongolian gerbils infected with H. pylori were treated with indometacin at 8 mg/kg for 2 days or 7 days. Mucosal damage was assessed by macroscopic and histological examination, and myeloperoxidase activity was measured as an index of neutrophil infiltration. The expression levels of cyclo-oxygenase proteins were determined by Western blot analysis and cyclo-oxygenase activity. RESULTS: A 2-day course of indometacin did not cause an increase in gastric damage in H. pylori-infected Mongolian gerbils compared to uninfected gerbils, while a 7-day course of indometacin caused additive gastric damage in H. pylori-infected animals. H. pylori infection induced cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression in the stomach. Treatment with indometacin for 2 days did not significantly affect cyclo-oxygenase activity in H. pylori-infected animals, while treatment for 7 days inhibited both cyclo-oxygenase-1 and cyclo-oxygenase-2 activities. Pre-treatment with a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor aggravated mucosal injury in H. pylori-infected animals treated or not treated with indometacin for 2 days. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that cyclo-oxygenase-2 protein induced by H. pylori infection may be involved in the defence of the gastric mucosa against damage caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Therefore, inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase-2 activity may enhance non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-caused gastric damage in H. pylori-infected animals.

Effect of acid suppression therapy on development of gastric erosions after cure of Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori eradication markedly improves histological inflammation and decreases peptic ulcer recurrence, but little is known about the subsequent development of gastric mucosal injury. AIM: To investigate whether acid suppression treatment after eradication influences the development of gastric erosions. METHODS: Eighty-one patients (gastritis or peptic ulcer) after successful H. pylori eradication were divided into two groups: 40 received an H2-blocker for 6 months (H2-blocker-positive) and 41 received no treatment (H2-blocker-negative). Endoscopy was performed before, and at 3 and 6 months after completion of eradication. RESULTS: Cumulative prevalence of gastric erosions in the H2-blocker-positive group was significantly lower than in the H2-blocker-negative group, 25% vs. 42%, respectively. In the H2-blocker-negative group but not the H2-blocker-positive group, the cumulative prevalence of gastric erosions after eradication was higher in patients with less severe corpus atrophy or more severe corpus gastritis. CONCLUSIONS: Development of gastric erosions after H. pylori eradication may be controlled by acid suppression treatment. Less severe atrophy or more severe gastritis in oxyntic glands before eradication may be involved in the development of gastric erosions. These results support the idea that recovery of acid secretion may be one of factors for development of gastric mucosal erosions after successful eradication.

Identification of an antigenic epitope in Helicobacter pylori urease that induces neutralizing antibody production.

We previously reported a mouse monoclonal antibody (MAb), termed L2, specific for Helicobacter pylori urease strongly inhibited its enzymatic activity. Here, to gain insight into how this antibody affects urease activity, the epitope that was recognized by the antibody was determined. By screening a panel of overlapping synthetic peptides covering the entire sequence of the two subunits (UreA and UreB), we identified a stretch of UreB-derived 19 amino acid (aa) residues (UB-33; aa 321 to 339, CHHLDKSIKEDVQFADSRI) that was specifically recognized by the L2 antibody. Further sequential amino acid deletion of the 19-mer peptide from either end allowed us to determine the minimal epitope as 8 amino acid residues (F8; SIKEDVQF) for L2 reactivity. This epitope appears to lie exactly on a short sequence which formed a flap over the active site of urease, suggesting that binding of the L2 antibody sterically inhibits access of urea, the substrate of urease. Finally, immunization of rabbits with either the 19-mer peptide or the 8-mer minimal epitope resulted in generation of antiurease antibodies that were capable of inhibiting the enzymatic activity. Since urease is critical for virulence of H. pylori, antigenic peptides that induce production of antibodies to inhibit its enzymatic activity may potentially be a useful tool as a vaccine for prevention and treatment of H. pylori infection.

Aging increases, and duodenal ulcer reduces the risk for intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus in Japanese patients with dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The classification of gastritis by using the revised Sydney system suggests that there are two types of Helicobacter pylori-related gastritis. The aim of the present study was to examine the risk factors that might be involved in the presence of either atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus of Japanese patients. METHODS: Biopsy samples were obtained from the gastric corpus in 154 patients with dyspepsia, and the degree of atrophy or intestinal metaplasia was determined histologically. The correlation between several variables and presence of atrophy or intestinal metaplasia was evaluated by using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among the 11 variables, which included age, peptic ulcer diseases and H. pylori infection, H. pylori infection was the major risk factor associated with the presence of atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus. In contrast, duodenal ulcer (DU) disease reduced the risk of contracting both conditions. Age was an independent risk factor only for intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus. When 128 H. pylori-positive subjects were analyzed, DU and age were similarly associated with the presence of both conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that DU reduces the risk for contracting atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia, and age is an independent risk factor for intestinal metaplasia of the gastric corpus in dyspeptic Japanese patients.

The quality of life in patients with pathologic myopia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional status in daily life and the quality of life (QOL) of pathologic myopia patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data of consecutive pathologic myopia patients (n = 200) and control subjects (n = 144). The influence of the disease on the daily life and the QOL of patients were evaluated using a self-rated questionnaire. The questionnaire covered the full range of daily life activity, including daily tasks depending on visual acuity, social and emotional handicaps, and cognition of disease, and the QOL of pathologic myopia patients. RESULTS: The functional status in daily life and the QOL of patients were reduced compared with control subjects. The influence of pathologic myopia on a patient's daily life was primarily the result of three major factors, handicap, disability, and support. All three factors correlated with the QOL, the degree of handicap having the strongest correlation. CONCLUSION: The functional status in daily life and the QOL of pathologic myopia patients were reduced; this decline in QOL was attributed to handicap and disability caused by the ocular disease.

Case report: indocyanine green dye leakage from retinal artery in branch retinal vein occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about retinal vascular lesions underlying hemorrhage in the acute phase of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). CASE: A 64-year-old woman presented with a decrease in visual acuity of ten-day duration in her left eye. OBSERVATIONS: At the initial examination, her left fundus showed the typical appearance of BRVO, including retinal bleeding and soft exudates in the lower half of the fundus, after the arteriovenous crossing. Fluorescein angiography showed no detail in the retinal vessels, which were occluded by retinal bleeding. However, in the early phase of indocyanine green (ICG) angiography, ICG dye leaked from the retinal artery at a point proximal to the first bifurcation. In the late phase of ICG angiography, the dye pooled along the retinal artery in a fusiform fashion. One year after laser photocoagulation was performed in the area of the BRVO, ICG dye leakage from the retinal artery had completely disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the changes in the retina detected by ICG angiography may have been associated with the onset of BRVO. In patients with acute BRVO, ICG angiography may be used to evaluate retinal arterial lesions covered by hemorrhage and provide useful information.

Bilateral serous retinal detachment associated with Alport's syndrome.

We report a 14-year-old girl with Alport's syndrome who developed bilateral exudative retinal detachment in the macula. With the development of chronic renal failure, bilateral serous retinal detachment appeared which had the retinal flecks characteristic of Alport's syndrome. The serous detachment was resolved and vision recovered following intensive hemodialysis. As far as we know this is the first case with documentation of the onset and resolution of serous retinal detachment in Alport's syndrome.

Induction of cyclooxygenase-2 in mesothelial cells in peritonitis caused by perforated ulcers--an immunohistochemical study in humans.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggests that mesothelial cells contribute to the control of inflammation in the peritoneal cavity by secreting prostaglandins. A study has shown that cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 knockout mice die partly as a result of peritonitis. AIM: To investigate the expression and location of COX in peritonitis associated with peptic ulcer perforation. METHODS: Gastric and duodenal tissues were collected intraoperatively from nine and four patients, respectively, and immunohistochemical staining for COX-1 and COX-2 was performed. RESULTS: Histologically, all patients had severe peritonitis around the perforation sites, into which many inflammatory cells and fibroblasts had infiltrated, and reactive mesothelial cells exhibited hyperplastic change. The COX-1 protein was not detected, whereas COX-2 was abundant in reactive mesothelial cells near the perforation site and disappeared away from the site. Macrophages and fibroblasts around the perforation site also revealed immunostaining for COX-2. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that COX-2 protein is induced in mesothelial cells, as well as in macrophages and fibroblasts, in inflamed peritoneal tissues associated with peptic ulcer perforation, suggesting involvement of COX-2 in tissue repair.