RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ON JAPANESE PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS (2006-17) ABOUT NUCLEAR AND RADIATION APPLICATIONS.

Public opinion on the application of nuclear technology and radiation could change when a nuclear related event occurs. Japan Atomic Energy Relations Organization has tracked its variation through a nationwide opinion survey in Japan by almost the same way every year since FY 2006. We can identify a continuous long-term fluctuation of Japanese opinion before and after the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster using the data. In this study we focused on the trends of public opinion for nuclear energy, impressions and knowledge on radiation, and zero-risk request. For example, radiation can be recognised that it is dangerous and complicated matter by Japanese public regardless of that accident. However, a big change of opinions on radiation was shown on the impression for the word of 'Useful' between before and after the accident.

Association between the retinal vascular network with Singapore "I" Vessel Assessment (SIVA) software, cardiovascular history and risk factors in the elderly: The Montrachet study, population-based study.

PURPOSE: To identify patterns summarizing the retinal vascular network in the elderly and to investigate the relationship of these vascular patterns with cardiovascular history. METHODS: We conducted a population-based study, the Montrachet study (Maculopathy Optic Nerve nuTRition neurovAsCular and HEarT diseases), in participants older than 75 years. The history of cardiovascular disease and a score-based estimation of their 10-year risk of cardiovascular mortality (Heart SCORE) were collected. Retinal vascular network analysis was performed by means of Singapore "I" Vessel Assessment (SIVA) software. Principal component analysis was used to condense the information contained in the high number of variables provided and to identify independent retinal vascular patterns. RESULTS: Overall, 1069 photographs (1069 participants) were reviewed with SIVA software. The mean age was 80.0 ± 3.8 years. We extracted three vascular patterns summarizing 41.3% of the vascular information. The most clinically relevant pattern, Sparse vascular network, accounted for 17.4% of the total variance. It corresponded to a lower density in the vascular network and higher variability in vessel width. Diabetic participants with hypoglycemic treatment had a sparser vascular network pattern than subjects without such treatment (odds ratio, [OR], 1.68; 95% CI, 1.04-2.72; P = 0.04). Participants with no history of cardiovascular disease who had a sparser vascular network were associated with a higher Heart SCORE (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.08-2.25; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Three vascular patterns were identified. The Sparse vascular network pattern was associated with having a higher risk profile for cardiovascular mortality risk at 10 years.

Gender-specific association of early age-related macular degeneration with systemic and genetic factors in a Japanese population.

The Tsuruoka Metabolomics Cohort Study included subjects aged 35-74 years from participants in annual health check-up programs in Tsuruoka, Japan. The gender-specific associations of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with systemic and genetic factors was assessed cross-sectionally. Of these, 3,988 subjects had fundus photographs of sufficient quality, and early AMD was present in 12.3% and 10.3% of men and women, respectively. In men, higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lower levels of triglycerides were associated with increased odds of having early AMD after adjusting for potential risk factors (for each 1 mmol/L increase, odds ratio [OR]: 1.61 and 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-2.23 and 0.64-0.96, respectively). In women, higher levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were associated with increased risk of having early AMD (OR: 1.21 and 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01-1.44 and 1.03-1.53, respectively). Sub-analysis demonstrated that women with ARMS2 A69S polymorphisms had a stronger risk for early AMD (OR: 3.25, 95% CI: 2.10-5.04) than men (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.02-2.69). Differential associations of early AMD with both systemic and genetic factors by sex were demonstrated in a Japanese cohort, which suggests that disease process of early AMD could be different by sex.

Comparisons of retinal vessel diameter and glaucomatous parameters between both eyes of subjects with clinically unilateral pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

PURPOSE: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX), the most common identifiable cause of open-angle glaucoma, might affect the retinal hemodynamics. To test this, we compared retinal vessel diameter and glaucoma-related parameters between eyes with pseudoexfoliation material (PE+) and fellow unaffected (PE-) eyes of patients with clinically unilateral PEX. METHODS: The medical records of 30 consecutive Japanese subjects were reviewed retrospectively. The retinal vessel diameters were measured and expressed as the central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) using standardized software. During the chart review, we recorded glaucoma-related parameters including intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field mean deviation (MD) value, planimetrically measured vertical cup-to-disc (C/D) ratio, circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (cpRNFLT) and macular inner retinal thickness (mIRT) measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, anterior chamber flare (ACF), corneal endothelial cell density (CECD), and number of antiglaucoma medications. RESULTS: Compared with PE- eyes, the CRAE, CRVE, MD, cpRNFLT and mIRT, and CECD were significantly lower in PE+ eyes; the IOP, vertical C/D ratio, number of antiglaucoma medications, and ACF were significantly higher in PE+ eyes (P<0.0001 for all comparisons). The CRAE, cpRNFLT, and MD were correlated positively with each other (ρ = 0.456-0.499, P<0.0001-0.0002) and negatively with the IOP (ρ = -0.562- -0.432, P<0.0001-0.0006). The vertical C/D ratio was correlated positively with the IOP (ρ = 0.483, P<0.0001) and negatively with the CRAE, cpRNFLT, and MD (ρ = -0.745--0.479, P<0.0001-0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Deposition of PE can cause retinal vessel narrowing in arterioles and venules. The roles and mechanisms of retinal vessel narrowing in glaucoma pathogenesis need clarification.

A New Method of Magnification Correction for Accurately Measuring Retinal Vessel Calibers From Fundus Photographs.

Purpose: To report a semiautomated retinal vessel caliber measurement system that measures central retinal artery (vein) equivalent (CRAE [CRVE]) with individual correction for magnification errors under conditions assuming optimal focus. Methods: The focusing condition of the subject eye fundus camera optical system was individually determined by constructing an optical model of each eye applying its refractive error, corneal curvature, and axial length (AL) to Gullstrand's schematic eye, and by adjusting the position of the camera's focusing lenses using each eye's refractive error. Once the focusing condition of the entire optical system was fulfilled, magnification of the fundus images was calculated using paraxial ray tracing. Measurements of CRAE (CRVE) were performed in an annular area centered on the optic disc with magnification-corrected diameter from 1.8 to 2.7 mm. Reproducibility of the measurements of the results using the new method and comparison with those using interactive vessel analysis (IVAN) were performed in normal Japanese eyes. Results: Intra- and interexaminer intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for CRAE (CRVE) measurements was greater than 0.978. CRAE (CRVE) using the new method averaged 148.9 ± 10.9 µm (225.0 ± 13.9 µm; mean ± SD, N = 99). Differences between the new method and IVAN were greater with increasing AL (P < 0.001). The new method yielded CRAE (CRVE) in good agreement with IVAN in eyes with AL of approximately 24 mm. However, the new method yielded smaller values in eyes with shorter AL and vice versa. Conclusions: A new accurate and reproducible method to measure CRAE (CRVE) from fundus photographs was reported.

International photographic classification and grading system for myopic maculopathy.

PURPOSE: To develop a classification and grading system for myopic maculopathy. DESIGN: Development and evaluation of a classification system for myopic maculopathy based on observational case series. METHODS: A comprehensive set of myopic macular lesions was defined via literature review and through consensus meetings among retinal specialists and clinician scientists. A classification of myopic maculopathy was formulated based on fundus photographs and a modified Delphi process and consensus. Inter- and intraobserver reproducibility, assessed as agreement (%) and weighted kappa values, were evaluated. One hundred retinal photographs with myopia and myopic macular lesions were selected from case series at the High Myopia Clinic of the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan. RESULTS: We defined 5 categories of myopic maculopathy including "no myopic retinal degenerative lesion" (Category 0), "tessellated fundus" (Category 1), "diffuse chorioretinal atrophy" (Category 2), "patchy chorioretinal atrophy" (Category 3), and "macular atrophy" (Category 4). Three additional features to supplement these categories were defined as "plus" lesions, namely, lacquer cracks, myopic choroidal neovascularization, and Fuchs spot. Posterior staphyloma was considered as a further, important sign of myopic retinopathy. The intraobserver agreement was ≥85% and the corresponding weighted kappa statistic was ≥0.6 between observations. After a brief training session, interobserver kappa statistics reached the predefined satisfactory level (≥0.4), considered as above moderate agreement. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a classification system for myopic maculopathy that was found to be reproducible. Applying a uniform classification in different studies will facilitate communication and comparison of findings from clinical trials and epidemiologic studies.

Retinal vascular features associated with risk of branch retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE/AIM: To identify retinal vascular features that precede the development of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) by comparing case eyes and fellow eyes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 25 persons who attended an annual health screening program at Osaka Health Science Center, Osaka, Japan, and then developed BRVO in one eye between 1995 and 2009. We retrospectively reviewed retinal images of these subjects taken 1-5 years prior to the development of BRVO and compared the prevalence of retinal vascular features between case eyes and contralateral fellow eyes. Potential local retinal vascular features considered were (1) severe arterio-venous (AV) nicking, (2) a smaller angle at the crossing of the arteriole and venule, (3) double crossing, (4) crossing near venular bifurcation and (5) isolated retinopathy. The central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE), vein equivalent (CRVE) and AV ratio (CRAE divided by CRVE) were quantitatively estimated using a standardized imaging software (University of Wisconsin). RESULTS: Compared to the fellow eye, severe AV nicking (39.1% versus 2.6%, <0.001), isolated retinopathy (47.8% versus 7.69%, p < 0.001) and a smaller angle at the crossing site (82.6% versus 46.2%, p = 0.005) were more prevalent in eyes with BRVO compared with fellow eyes. Case eyes had a significantly smaller AV ratio at 1-5 years prior to the development of BRVO compared with fellow eyes (0.68 versus 0.73, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to severe AV nicking, a well-known sign linked to BRVO, this study identified two new potential retinal vascular features--isolated retinopathy and a smaller angle at the crossing site--associated with BRVO development. We also found that a discrepancy in the AV ratio between eyes (i.e. a smaller AV ratio than the fellow eye) can be a quantitative indicator of a higher BRVO risk. These findings warrant further validation in longitudinal studies.