Choroidal Thickness is Increased following Restraint Stress in Rats.

PURPOSE: Central serous chorioretinopathy is a stress-induced disease and often shows pachychoroid; however, the relationship between stress and choroid remains unlear. The purpose of this study was to investigate, using optical coherence tomography, whether the choroid thickens when rats are subjected to restraint stress. METHODS: Eight-week-old male F334/Jcl rats were subjected to 30 min of restraint stress, and choroidal thickness was measured before and after stress loading using optical coherence tomography. In addition, salivary corticosterone levels were measured before and after stress loading. RESULTS: Choroidal thickness was significantly increased from 30.1 ± 6.4 µm to 39.7 ± 9.2 µm just after stress loading (p = 0.001). Significant choroidal thickening was not observed on the next day. The salivary corticosterone concentration increased from 1575.3 ± 1040.6 pg/mL before stress loading to 6022.2 ± 6742.6 pg/mL after stress loading, but the difference was not significant (p = 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal thickness increased when rats were subjected to restraint stress, supporting the hypothesis that stress is one of the causes of pachychoroid spectrum disease, as exemplified by central serous chorioretinopathy.

One-year outcomes of microhook trabeculotomy versus suture trabeculotomy ab interno.

PURPOSE: To compare clinical success rates and reductions in intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP-lowering medication use following suture trabeculotomy ab interno (S group) or microhook trabeculotomy (µ group). METHODS: This retrospective review collected data from S (n = 104, 122 eyes) and µ (n = 42, 47 eyes) groups who underwent treatment between June 1, 2016, and October 31, 2019, and had 12-month follow-up data including IOP, glaucoma medications, complications, and additional IOP-lowering procedures. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to evaluate treatment success rates defined as normal IOP (> 5 to ≤ 18 mm Hg), ≥ 20% reduction of IOP from baseline at two consecutive visits, and no further glaucoma surgery. RESULTS: Schlemm's canal opening was longer in the S group than in the µ group (P < 0.0001). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of all eyes showed cumulative clinical success rates in S and µ groups were 71.1% and 61.7% (P = 0.230). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of eyes with preoperative IOP ≥ 21 mmHg showed cumulative clinical success rates in S and µ groups were 80.4% and 60.0% (P = 0.0192). There were no significant differences in postoperative IOP at 1, 3, and 6 months (S group, 14.9 ± 5.6, 14.6 ± 4.5, 14.6 ± 3.9 mmHg; µ group, 15.8 ± 5.9, 15.2 ± 4.4, 14.7 ± 3.7 mmHg; P = 0.364, 0.443, 0.823), but postoperative IOP was significantly lower in the S group at 12 months (S group, 14.1 ± 3.1 mmHg; µ group, 15.6 ± 4.1 mmHg; P = 0.0361). There were no significant differences in postoperative numbers of glaucoma medications at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (S group, 1.8 ± 1.6, 1.8 ± 1.5, 2.0 ± 1.6, 1.8 ± 1.5; µ group, 2.0 ± 1.6, 2.0 ± 1.6, 2.1 ± 1.6, 2.2 ± 1.7; P = 0.699, 0.420, 0.737, 0.198). CONCLUSION: S and µ group eyes achieved IOP reduction, but µ group eyes had lower clinical success rates among patients with high preoperative IOP at 12 months.

Long-term outcomes of over-the-scope clip for refractory gastrointestinal diseases.

BACKGROUND: The Over-The-Scope Clip (OTSC) can effectively treat refractory gastrointestinal diseases. However, most reports have focused on short-term effectiveness. We examined clinical outcomes of the deployed clips and long-term characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of 47 patients with OTSC treatment, 35 with follow-up periods of ≥3 months were retrospectively examined. The indications were 11 bleedings, 17 perforations, and seven fistulas. The observation period was defined as medium-term (3 to <12 months) or long-term (≥12 months). The primary outcome was the clinical success rate without disease recurrence. The secondary outcomes were the complication rate, survival duration, and clip retention rate. RESULTS: The medium- and long-term clinical success rates were 100% during the observation period (median, 44 months; range, 3-78 months). The complication rate was 2.9% (n = 1). The median survival time was 1,634 days for bleeding, 1,757 days for perforation, and 444 days for fistulas. The overall clip retention rates were 56.4%, 38.1%, 30.9%, and 25.9% after one, six, and 12 months and at the final follow-up, respectively. The average clip retention duration was 244 days in bleeding, 656 days in perforations, and 188 days in fistulas. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of clip detachment, the OTSC can be effective in long-term.

Conventional Trabeculotomy versus Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Conventional trabeculotomy (CT) is performed in an ab-externo manner with at most 120 degrees of incision area of Schlemm's canal (SC). Recently, gonioscopy-assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT), which makes possible a 360-degree incision area of SC in an ab-interno manner, is introduced. The purpose of this study was to compare surgical outcomes for CT and GATT with and without simultaneous phacoemulsification over 24 months and to identify factors associated with surgical success. RESULTS: Patients' baseline characteristics were not significantly different between two groups. The surgical success rate in CT and GATT with phacoemulsification groups were 40.4% and 96.6% and were significantly higher in the GATT group than in the CT group (p < 0.001). However, the surgical success rate in CT and GATT without phacoemulsification groups were 40.8% and 54.2%, and there were no significant differences between two groups without phacoemulsification (p = 0.55). Similarly, the postoperative IOP was significantly lower in the GATT group than in the CT group only in eyes with simultaneous phacoemulsification. There were no significant differences in the numbers of glaucoma medications between the two groups. Additional glaucoma surgery was needed in 13.2% and 25.9% of patients in the GATT and CT groups, respectively (p = 0.157). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the surgical success of trabeculotomy was significantly associated with combined phacoemulsification and the type of glaucoma surgery (GATT). CONCLUSION: Although both groups without phacoemulsification had a similar surgical success and IOP-lowering effect, GATT combined with phacoemulsification had a higher surgical success rate and a greater IOP-lowering effect compared with combined CT and phacoemulsification. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the factors associated with higher surgical success at one year and two years postoperatively were the combined phacoemulsification procedure and the GATT.

Outcomes of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Subepithelial Lesions Localized Within the Submucosa, Including Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Multicenter Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) seems to be a reasonable option for gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions (SELs) localized within the submucosa. Indications for ESD include small neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and indeterminate SELs. However, the prospective data regarding ESD and surveillance remain unclear. This study was performed to prospectively investigate the outcomes of ESD, including organ-specific outcomes and the mid-term prognosis. METHODS: This prospective multicenter study included 57 patients who underwent ESD for SELs localized within the submucosa [definite NETs (n = 42) and indeterminate SELs (n = 15)]. The efficacy and safety of ESD were evaluated in the whole cohort and in subgroups (NETs and indeterminate SELs). All patients were followed up. RESULTS: The rates of en bloc resection, curative resection, and complications were 98.2%, 66.7%, and 7.7% for the overall population (n=57); 100%, 61.9%, and 2.4% for NETs (n=42); and 93.3%, 80.0%, and 20.0% for indeterminate SELs (n=15), respectively. The rates of curative resection for NETs were poorer in the stomach (20%, n=5) and duodenum (33%, n=3) than in the rectum (71%, n=34). Including 11 of 16 patients with NETs who underwent a conservative approach resulting in non-curative resection, no patients developed tumor recurrence during the follow-up period (median, 24.5 months; range, 1-60 months). ESD followed by surveillance demonstrated acceptable mid-term outcomes for non-curative NETs. CONCLUSIONS: ESD can be an efficient therapy for SELs localized within the submucosa. However, gastric and duodenal ESD for NETs may be limited in terms of its curative and technical aspects. Clinicians should be aware of the potential complications of ESD for indeterminate SELs.

[A Case of a Corneal Disorder after Breast Cancer Treatment with Nab-paclitaxel].

BACKGROUND: We report a case of a corneal disorder after breast cancer treatment with a microtubule inhibitor, nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane). CASE: A 55-year-old woman, who was referred to our clinic, presented with blurred vision. 2 weeks previously, she had been undergoing treatment with nab-paclitaxel, trastuzumab and pertuzumab. Visual acuity was 20/60 in right eye and 20/40 in left eye. Slit-lamp examination showed an atypical epithelium invasion of the cornea in both eyes and small epithelial defect in left eye. After the nab-paclitaxel treatment was discontinued the corneal findings improved. 4 months later, visual acuity was 20/15 in right eye and 20/20 in left eye. CONCLUSIONS: Nab-paclitaxel can cause severe corneal disorders, but the possibility that trastuzumab and pertuzumab combination therapy is associated with these disorders cannot be denied. Clinicians should consider the possibility of the side effects caused by systemic administration in cases of corneal disorders of uncertain etiology.

Effects of Bimolecular Recombination on Impedance Spectra in Organic Semiconductors: Analytical Approach.

An analytical expression for impedance spectra in the case of double injection (both electrons and holes are injected into an organic semiconductor thin film) has been derived from the basic transport equations (the current density equation, the continuity equation and the Possion's equation). Capacitance-frequency characteristics calculated from the analytical expression have been examined at different recombination constants and different values of mobility balance defined by a ratio of electron mobility to hole mobility. Negative capacitance appears when the recombination constant is lower than the Langevin recombination constant and when the value of the mobility balance approaches unity. These results are consistent with the numerical results obtained by a device simulator (Atlas, Silvaco).

Degradation of Bilayer Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Studied by Impedance Spectroscopy.

The degradation of bilayer organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with a device structure of N,N'-di(1-naphthyl)-N,N'-diphenylbenzidine (α-NPD) (hole transport layer) and tris-(8-hydroxyquinolate)aluminum (Alq3) (emissive layer and electron transport layer) has been studied by impedance spectroscopy and device simulation. Two modulus peaks are found in the modulus spectra of the OLEDs below the electroluminescence threshold. After aging of the OLEDs, the intensity of electroluminescence is degraded and the modulus peak due to the Alq3 layer is shifted to lower frequency, indicating that the resistance of the Alq3 layer is increased. Device simulation reveals that the increase in the resistance of the Alq3 layer is due to the decrease in the electron mobility in the Alq3 layer.

Ischemia-induced neural stem/progenitor cells express pyramidal cell markers.

Adult brain-derived neural stem cells have acquired a lot of interest as an endurable neuronal cell source that can be used for central nervous system repair in a wide range of neurological disorders such as ischemic stroke. Recently, we identified injury-induced neural stem/progenitor cells in the poststroke murine cerebral cortex. In this study, we show that, after differentiation in vitro, injury-induced neural stem/progenitor cells express pyramidal cell markers Emx1 and CaMKIIα, as well as mature neuron markers MAP2 and Tuj1. 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridinine-positive neurons in the peristroke cortex also express such pyramidal markers. The presence of newly regenerated pyramidal neurons in the poststroke brain might provide a noninvasive therapeutic strategy for stroke treatment with functional recovery.

Transcorneal electrical stimulation increases chorioretinal blood flow in normal human subjects.

PURPOSE: The aim of this article is to investigate the effect of transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES) on chorioretinal blood flow in healthy human subjects. METHODS: The chorioretinal blood flow of 10 healthy subjects was measured before and after TES by laser speckle flowgraphy and expressed as the square blur rate (SBR). The chorioretinal blood flow was determined before and immediately after TES and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 24, and 40 h after TES in three different areas: the margin of the optic disc, a point located midway between the optic disc and macula, and the macula area. The SBR of the stimulated eye is expressed relative to the value of the fellow eye. The mean standardized blur ratio was calculated as the ratio of the standardized SBR to the baseline SBR. The changes of intraocular pressure (IOP), blood pressure (BP), and pulse rate (PR) were determined after each measurement of the SBR. The ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) was calculated from BP and IOP. RESULTS: The mean standardized blur ratio at the optic disc did not change significantly throughout the course of the experiment. However, the mean standardized blur ratio midway between the optic disc and macula and at the macula area were significantly higher after TES than that after sham stimulation at 3 and 24 h (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). At all times, the mean BP, PR, IOP, and OPP were not significantly different from the prestimulation values. CONCLUSIONS: TES increases the chorioretinal blood flow in normal subjects with minimal effects on the systemic blood circulation and the IOP. The increase in chorioretinal blood flow may be one of the beneficial effects that TES has on ischemic retinal diseases.

Endothelial cells support survival, proliferation, and neuronal differentiation of transplanted adult ischemia-induced neural stem/progenitor cells after cerebral infarction.

Transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) has been proposed as a therapy for a range of neurological disorders. To realize the potential of this approach, it is essential to control survival, proliferation, migration, and differentiation of NSCs after transplantation. NSCs are regulated in vivo, at least in part, by their specialized microenvironment or "niche." In the adult central nervous system, neurogenic regions, such as the subventricular and subgranular zones, include NSCs residing in a vascular niche with endothelial cells. Although there is accumulating evidence that endothelial cells promote proliferation of NSCs in vitro, there is no description of their impact on transplanted NSCs. In this study, we grafted cortex-derived stroke-induced neural stem/progenitor cells, obtained from adult mice, onto poststroke cortex in the presence or absence of endothelial cells, and compared survival, proliferation, and neuronal differentiation of the neural precursors in vivo. Cotransplantation of endothelial cells and neural stem/progenitor cells increased survival and proliferation of ischemia-induced neural stem/progenitor cells and also accelerated neuronal differentiation compared with transplantation of neural precursors alone. These data indicate that reconstitution of elements in the vascular niche enhances transplantation of adult neural progenitor cells.

[Hepatectomy and intraarterial infusion chemotherapy for liver metastasis from colorectal cancer].

Hepatectomy and intraarterial chemotherapy for liver metastasis from colorectal cancer have been performed in our department. Intraarterial infusion chemotherapy has also been performed for unresectable liver metastasis. One hundred twenty-seven cases of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer were studied. The cases were divided into groups according to radicability of the original colorectal cancer, whether or not hepatectomy was performed, and whether or not they received intraarterial chemotherapy. Group I is cur C of origin. Group II is cur A or B without hepatectomy. Group III is cur A or B with hepatectomy. Each group was divided into a group without intraarterial chemotherapy (A) and a group with it (B). IA 23 cases, IB 13 cases, IIA 14 cases, IIB 21 cases, IIIA 28 cases, and IIIB 28 cases. The survival rate of group III was better than that of group II. The survival rate of group II was better than that of group I. There was no significant difference in survival rates between IA and IB. The survival rate of group IIB was significantly better than that of group IIA. The survival rate of group IIIB was significantly better than that of group III A. Hepatectomy and intraarterial chemotherapy after hepatectomy for liver metastasis from colorectal cancer were effective.