Planar array antenna coupled InGaAs/InAlAs multi-quantum well optical modulator for 60†GHz band millimeter wave signals.

A Fe-InP-based planar array antenna-coupled InGaAs/InAlAs multiple quantum well (MQW) optical phase modulator is proposed and demonstrated for radio over fiber (RoF) applications with 60 GHz-band millimeter-wave wireless signals. The modulator comprises five types of five-layer asymmetric coupled quantum wells (FACQWs) and a two-element array antenna. The FACQWs are designed to have a significant electric-field-induced refractive index change with small electric fields induced in the antenna. In the fabricated modulator, a carrier-to-sideband ratio (CSR) of up to 45.9 dB was successfully obtained at a power density of 11 W/m2, corresponding to a phase shift of 10.1 mrad. Furthermore, data transmission of a 2 GHz modulated wave with a 60 GHz wireless carrier wave was demonstrated.

Rab44 deficiency accelerates recovery from muscle damage by regulating mTORC1 signaling and transport of fusogenic regulators.

The skeletal muscle is a tissue that shows remarkable plasticity to adapt to various stimuli. The development and regeneration of skeletal muscles are regulated by numerous molecules. Among these, we focused on Rab44, a large Rab GTPase, that has been recently identified in immune cells and osteoclasts. Recently, bioinformatics data has revealed that Rab44 is upregulated during the myogenic differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes in C2C12 cells. Thus, Rab44 may be involved in myogenesis. Here, we have investigated the effects of Rab44 deficiency on the development and regeneration of skeletal muscle in Rab44 knockout (KO) mice. Although KO mice exhibited body and muscle weights similar to those of wild-type (WT) mice, the histochemical analysis showed that the myofiber cross-sectional area (CSA) of KO mice was significantly smaller than that of WT mice. Importantly, the results of muscle regeneration experiments using cardiotoxin revealed that the CSA of KO mice was significantly larger than that of WT mice, suggesting that Rab44 deficiency promotes muscle regeneration. Consistent with the in vivo results, in vitro experiments indicated that satellite cells derived from KO mice displayed enhanced proliferation and differentiation. Mechanistically, KO satellite cells exhibited an increased mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling compared to WT cells. Additionally, enhanced cell surface transport of myomaker and myomixer, which are essential membrane proteins for myoblast fusion, was observed in KO satellite cells compared to WT cells. Therefore, Rab44 deficiency enhances muscle regeneration by modulating the mTORC1 signaling pathway and transport of fusogenic regulators.

Rab44 Deficiency Induces Impaired Immune Responses to Nickel Allergy.

Rab44 was recently identified as an atypical Rab GTPase that possesses EF-hand and coiled-coil domains at the N-terminus, and a Rab-GTPase domain at the C-terminus. Rab44 is highly expressed in immune-related cells such as mast cells, macrophages, osteoclasts, and granulocyte-lineage cells in the bone marrow. Therefore, it is speculated that Rab44 is involved in the inflammation and differentiation of immune cells. However, little is known about the role of Rab44 in inflammation. In this study, we showed that Rab44 was upregulated during the early phase of differentiation of M1- and M2-type macrophages. Rab44-deficient mice exhibited impaired tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-10 production after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The number of granulocytes in Rab44-deficient mice was lower, but the lymphocyte count in Rab44-deficient mice was significantly higher than that in wild-type mice after LPS stimulation. Moreover, Rab44-deficient macrophages showed impaired nickel-induced toxicity, and Rab44-deficient mice showed impaired nickel-induced hypersensitivity. Upon nickel hypersensitivity induction, Rab44-deficient mice showed different frequencies of immune cells in the blood and ears. Thus, it is likely that Rab44 is implicated in immune cell differentiation and inflammation, and Rab44 deficiency induces impaired immune responses to nickel allergies.

Oral health-related quality of life of conventional removable partial dentures, unilateral nonmetal clasp dentures, and shortened dental arch with 2- or 3-tooth unilateral distal extension tooth loss in the mandible: A randomized, crossover, clinical trial.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Conventional removable partial dentures with metal clasps are still a common option for patients with distal-extension tooth loss. However, unilateral nonmetal clasp dentures fabricated by using a thermoplastic denture base resin are increasingly being used. Furthermore, the shortened dental arch concept remains controversial, in spite of being advocated for many years. Nevertheless, these treatment options remain controversial, particularly in patients with the loss of a few distal teeth unilaterally. PURPOSE: The purpose of this randomized, crossover, clinical trial was to investigate the oral health-related quality of life of participants who requested a new dental prosthesis (unilateral nonmetal clasp dentures or conventional removable partial dentures) at a private practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 3-period, randomized, crossover design was used in a within-subject, controlled, clinical trial. Twenty-four participants (mean age 59.0 years [7 men: 62.6 {45-85} years; 17 women: 57.5 {24-75} years]) were enrolled. All experimental procedures were approved by the Ethics Committee of Nagasaki University Hospital (#15022313) and registered in the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number registry (ISRCTN49105064). All participants were fully dentate in the maxilla and had unilateral distal-extension loss of 2 or 3 teeth in the mandible. Participants were allocated to 1 of 6 groups and treated with prescribed options in accordance with their allocated sequences and used a dental prosthesis or nothing for 2-week periods. At the end of each intervention, the participants were asked to answer the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire. Differences in Oral Health Impact Profile scores among groups were estimated with a mixed-effects model (α=.05). RESULTS: Total Oral Health Impact Profile scores were higher for unilateral nonmetal clasp dentures (P=.002) and shortened dental arch (P=.049) than for conventional removable partial dentures, with medium and small effects. The unilateral nonmetal clasp dentures had a similar effect compared with shortened dental arch (P>.05). unilateral nonmetal clasp dentures (P=.011) and shortened dental arch (P=.005) demonstrated medium effects in the oral function dimension compared with conventional removable partial dentures. Unilateral nonmetal clasp dentures exhibited large and medium effects in the orofacial appearance dimension compared with conventional removable partial dentures (P=.001) and shortened dental arch (P=.006). In the orofacial pain dimension, shortened dental arch showed effects similar to those of conventional removable partial dentures and unilateral nonmetal clasp dentures (P>.05), and no significant differences were observed in the psychosocial impact dimension (P>.05), but the unilateral nonmetal clasp denture score was lower than the conventional removable partial denture score, with a small effect. Men had significantly lower total Oral Health Impact Profile scores for shortened dental arch than women (P=.033). CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral nonmetal clasp dentures and shortened dental arch were better than conventional removable partial dentures for the oral health-related quality of life of individuals with unilateral distal-extension tooth loss in the mandible, and sex had a significant effect on removable prosthetic planning.

SQAP, an acyl sulfoquinovosyl derivative, suppresses expression of histone deacetylase and induces cell death of cancer cells under hypoxic conditions.

Sulfoglycolipid, SQAP, is a radiosensitizing agent that makes tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. A previous study revealed that SQAP induced the degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and inhibited angiogenesis in a hepatoma model mouse. Herein, we examined the biological activities of SQAP against hepatocarcinoma cells under low oxygen conditions. Cell growth inhibition of SQAP under hypoxic conditions was significantly higher than that under normoxic conditions. In addition, SQAP was found to impair the expression of histone deacetylase (HDAC) under low oxygen conditions. Our present data suggested that SQAP induced the degradation of HIF-1α and then decreased the expression of HDAC1. Unlike known HDAC inhibitors, SQAP increased the acetylation level of histone in cells without inhibition of enzymatic activity of HDACs. Our data demonstrated hypoxia-specific unique properties of SQAP.

Pain sensitivity after low-level clenching is influenced by preloading eccentric exercise.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of preloading eccentric exercise on pain sensitivity in healthy volunteers. METHODS: In 20 healthy volunteers, pain-related sensations (6 items: pain, unpleasantness, fatigue, stiffness, tension, and soreness during maximum biting), and pain intensities induced by repeated electrical stimuli on the masseter and the hand palm were evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) of 0-100 mm. Eccentric exercise (6 min-test) or gum chewing (6 min-control) was used as preloading exercise to evaluate the effect on pain sensitivities before and after low-level clenching (15 min) performed 2 days after the preloading exercise. RESULTS: Eccentric exercise induced only low levels of pain-related sensations 2 days later. However, the time course of temporal summation induced by four repeated electrical stimuli on the masseter was influenced by the type of preloading exercise, i.e., temporal summation increased after the low-level clenching (P = 0.016) when preloading was done by the eccentric exercise, while no significant change was observed when preloading was done by the gum chewing. CONCLUSIONS: Eccentric exercise may facilitate pain sensitivity induced by subsequent low-level clenching via the central nervous system. In addition, it was demonstrated that pain sensitivity after the low-level clenching could be influenced by the type of preloading exercise. These experimental results may suggest that eccentric exercise could act as one of the triggering factors in the mechanism by which tooth clenching leads to a chronic pain condition in susceptible individuals.

InGaAs/InAlAs multiple-quantum-well optical modulator integrated with a planar antenna for a millimeter-wave radio-over-fiber system.

An InGaAs/InAlAs multiple-quantum-well (MQW) optical phase modulator integrated with a planar antenna for a millimeter-wave (MMW) radio-over-fiber (RoF) system is fabricated, and its high-speed modulation under irradiation of MMW signals is experimentally demonstrated. The modulator exhibits a carrier-to-sideband ratio (CSR) of 62.7 dB, corresponding to a phase shift Δϕ of 1.46 mrad under irradiation of MMW signals with an RF power density P of ∼77 W/m2 at a frequency of 57.5 GHz. The modulator is operated over the C band in optical communications. The modulation operation was attributed to the large change in refractive index caused by the quantum-confined Stark effect in the MQW. This is the first case where the refractive index change of a semiconductor was used as an antenna-coupled optical modulator.

Association between optic nerve head morphology in open-angle glaucoma and corneal biomechanical parameters measured with Corvis ST.

PURPOSES: To investigate associations between Corvis ST-measured corneal biomechanical parameters and glaucomatous optic nerve head (ONH) morphology. METHODS: In total, 118 eyes of 70 patients with open-angle glaucoma were examined in this retrospective cross-sectional study. We measured Heidelberg retina tomograph and Corvis ST values in all eyes. We used the linear mixed model in four sectors (temporal superior, TS; temporal inferior, TI; nasal superior, NS; and nasal inferior, NI) to detect associations between six ONH-related parameters and 14 Corvis ST-related parameters, controlling for age, intraocular pressure, axial length, and central corneal thickness. We calculated the ONH temporal and nasal sector vertical asymmetries (TS-TI and NS-NI asymmetries) and identified the optimal linear mixed models to describe them using model selection with the second-order bias corrected Akaike Information Criterion. RESULTS: The Corvis ST A2 velocity was negatively associated with the rim volume in the NS sector (p < 0.05). The optimal model for TS-TI asymmetry was TS-TI asymmetry = - 3.22 + 0.15 × HC time + 0.88 × HC deflection amplitude, whereas that for NS-NI asymmetry was 0.49-0.048 × axial length - 2.45 × A2 velocity. CONCLUSION: Glaucomatous ONH superior-inferior asymmetries were associated with biomechanical properties measured with Corvis ST. Eyes with superior-dominant rim volume reduction of ONH were associated with small deformations and slow recovery of the cornea.

Evaluation of viscoelastic properties, hardness, and glass transition temperature of soft denture liners and tissue conditioner.

Soft denture liners and tissue conditioners are widely used for the denture patients to cushion masticatory force and condition abused tissues, respectively. This study assessed methods for the evaluation of the viscoelasticity and glass transition temperature (Tg) of the silicone permanent soft liner, acrylic permanent soft liner, and tissue conditioner. Three rheological parameters of storage modulus (E'), loss modulus (E''), and loss tangent ([Formula: see text]), Tg, and hardness were determined using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the Shore A0 hardness test. Five specimens were measured for each material. The time-temperature superposition principle was applied to produce master curves of E', E'', and [Formula: see text] for the tested materials at a reference temperature of 37 °C. The acrylic permanent soft liner and tissue conditioner exhibited viscoelastic behavior and sensitivity to frequency, especially at lower frequencies. The silicone permanent soft liner showed elastic behavior and was frequency-independent. Tg for the acrylic permanent soft liner was higher than that for the tissue conditioner, which in turn was higher than that for the silicone permanent soft liner for both DMA and DSC. In DMA, a higher frequency led to higher Tg values. A positive linear relationship was found between Shore A0 hardness and E' values, but not E'' and [Formula: see text] values. Shore hardness reflects elasticity, but not viscosity. The results of the present study can be used to improve methods for evaluating the viscoelasticity and Tg of soft denture liners and tissue conditioners.

Early changes of vascular lesions and responses to combined photodynamic therapy in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate early changes of vascular lesions and their associations with the early responses to combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) in eyes with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). METHODS: This study evaluated 19 eyes of 19 patients with PCV who underwent PDT combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections and were followed for 3 months. All subjects were examined 1 week and 1, 2, and 3 months after combined PDT. "Active" cases were defined as recurrence or persistence of serous retinal detachment or subretinal hemorrhage detected within 3 months. Branching vascular networks (BVNs) were evaluated by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and polyps by indocyanine-green angiography. RESULTS: In total, 16%, 58%, 84%, and 89% of eyes displayed BVNs 1 week, 1, 2, and 3 months after PDT, respectively. BVNs were detected significantly more often 1 month after PDT in the "active" group than "inactive" group (89% vs. 30%, p = 0.020). There were significantly higher overall proportions of BVNs detected by OCTA in the "active" group than "inactive" group (p = 0.0058). CONCLUSION: In most cases, BVNs disappeared once and gradually appeared again within 3 months. Detecting BVNs using OCTA from early phases could be a helpful biomarker to assess the early responses to PDT in eyes with PCV.

Distribution and metabolism of 14C-sulfoquinovosylacylpropanediol (14C-SQAP) after a single intravenous administration in tumor-bearing mice.

Sulfoquinovosylacylpropanediol (SQAP) is a novel potent radiosensitizer that inhibits angiogenesis in vivo and results in increased oxigenation and reduced tumor volume. We investigated the distribution, metabolism, and excretion of SQAP in male KSN-nude mice transplanted with a human pulmonary carcinoma, Lu65. For the metabolism analysis, a 2 mg (2.98 MBq)/kg of [glucose-U-14C]-SQAP (CP-3839) was intravenously injected. The injected SQAP was decomposed into a stearic acid and a sulfoquinovosylpropanediol (SQP) in the body. The degradation was relatively slow in the carcinoma tissue.1,3-propanediol[1-14C]-SQAP (CP-3635) was administered through intravenous injection of a 1 mg (3.48 MBq)/kg dose followed by whole body autoradiography of the mice. The autoradiography analysis demonstrated that SQAP rapidly distributed throughout the whole body and then quickly decreased within 4 hours except the tumor and excretion organs such as liver, kidney. Retention of SQAP was longer in tumor parts than in other tissues, as indicated by higher levels of radioactivity at 4 hours. The radioactivity around the tumor had also completely disappeared within 72 hours.

Retinal sensitivity in angioid streaks.

PURPOSE: To investigate retinal sensitivity in eyes with angioid streaks (AS). METHODS: This study was a retrospective observational case series. A total of 13 eyes from 9 patients with AS underwent ophthalmologic examination, including fundus autofluorescence (FAF), spectral domain optical tomography (SD-OCT), and microperimetry. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy was assessed using FAF. Outer retinal atrophy, more specifically, disruption of the ellipsoid zone, was evaluated using SD-OCT images. The association between retinal sensitivity, RPE atrophy or outer retinal atrophy, and patient demographic characteristics or ophthalmologic findings were investigated. RESULTS: The mean area of outer retinal atrophy was 14.5 ± 12.9 mm2, significantly larger than the mean area of RPE atrophy (9.0 ± 9.0 mm2; P = 0.0028). The average retinal sensitivity in the area of RPE atrophy was 2.4 ± 5.6 dB, that in the area of outer retinal atrophy outside RPE atrophy was 14.6 ± 7.5 dB, and that in the area without any atrophy was 25.6 ± 5.1 dB. Reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) was observed in 5 eyes. Eyes with RPD showed a greater extent of both outer retinal atrophy and RPE atrophy than those without RPD and a greater decrease in mean retinal sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: In eyes with AS, especially in those with RPD, large areas of outer retinal atrophy and RPE atrophy were observed, and the retinal sensitivity in the areas was correspondingly decreased.

Investigating the structure-function relationship using Goldmann V standard automated perimetry where glaucomatous damage is advanced.

PURPOSE: To investigate if the structure-function relationship between circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (cpRNFL) thickness and visual field (VF) thresholds is stronger when using the Goldmann V target rather than the Goldman III target where glaucomatous damage is advanced. METHODS: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and VF (Humphrey Field Analyzer 24-2 or 30-2) measurements with Goldmann III (SITA standard) and V (full-threshold) targets were carried out in 51 eyes of 51 patients with primary open angle glaucoma. The relationship between cpRNFL thicknesses in supero- and infero-temporal sectors, and VF sensitivity with the Goldmann III or V target was investigated. RESULT: Visual field sensitivities (dB) both with the Goldmann III target and Goldmann V target showed a floor effect in the structure-function relationship against cpRNFL thickness, at approximately 60 µm. There was no significant relationship between visual field sensitivity measured with the Goldmann V target (dB scale: p = 0.12, 1/Lambert scale: p = 0.40; linear mixed models) and cpRNFL thickness, when corresponding visual field sensitivity, measured with the Goldmann III target, was <20 dB. CONCLUSION: There was no improvement in the structure-function relationship using the Goldmann V target (full-threshold), compared to using the Goldmann III target (SITA standard), where glaucomatous damage was advanced.

The influence of thickeners of food on the particle size of boluses: a consideration for swallowing.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of thickeners with different levels of thickness on the sizes of particles in food boluses. In medical and nursing care, thickeners are used to make food safe for patients with dysphagia. However, the effect of thickeners on the foods they are added to, especially during swallowing, is still unclear. The bolus particles of 20 healthy volunteers were photographed, and the digital images were used to estimate the sizes of particles in them. Eight test samples with thickeners with different levels of thickness were tested: six grades of thickened carrot juice with raw carrots in it, raw carrot with banana, and raw carrot alone. The particle homogeneity index (HI) and particle size index (SI) just before swallowing were calculated. The viscosities of the liquid part of the test samples were also measured. The number of mastication cycles across the test samples was not significantly different. However, significant differences were found in SI and HI across the test samples: the absolute values of SI and HI tended to rise as the thickness of the test sample increased. The viscosity of the liquid part of the test sample also increased as the thickness increased. The differences in the thickness of food had an influence on the bolus particle sizes just before swallowing.

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw-like lesions in rodents: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the pathology and pathogenesis of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) in rodents. BACKGROUND: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw occurs in patients taking antiresorptive drugs, such as bisphosphonates and denosumab, and anti-angiogenesis agents. However, there is limited information about the pathology of MRONJ at the clinical level. Moreover, no information about the exact mechanisms of MRONJ is clinically available. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PubMed, SCOPUS and Medline databases were used to search for relevant articles up to April 2018 by two independent reviewers. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. RESULTS: Of the 1841 studies, 10 articles met the eligibility criteria. The most commonly observed pathology of MRONJ-like lesions was exposed bone without epithelial coverage, decreases in the number of osteocytes and increases in necrotic bone with more empty lacunae. No definitive pathogenesis of MRONJ-like lesions was found. Both zoledronic acid (ZA) monotherapy and ZA/chemotherapeutic and/or dexamethasone combination therapy were significant high-risk factors for developing MRONJ-like lesions (P < 0.00001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Based on rodent studies, common pathological findings were extracted in bisphosphonate-related ONJ (BRONJ)-like lesions, whereas no definitive pathogenesis was identified. There is no information about the pathology and pathogenesis of denosumab-related ONJ. These findings clearly suggest that accumulation of scientific evidence based on animal studies is absolutely necessary to explore the pathology and pathogenesis of MRONJ in humans. ZA administration would be a significant risk factor for developing BRONJ-like lesions.

Characteristics and risk factors of recurrent keratoconus over the long term after penetrating keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To determine the characteristics and risk factors of recurrent keratoconus (KC) after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). METHODS: We enrolled patients who had maintained clear grafts for at least 10 years after PK based on their medical records. Patients were divided into the KC group or Others group based on the primary indication for PK. Each case was reviewed for clinically observed corneal ectasia. Steepest keratometric power (Ks), cylinder (CYL), and difference between Ks and minimum keratometric power (MinK) were analyzed in patients that underwent corneal topography more than three times after the 5th postoperative year. RESULTS: One hundred one eyes of 82 patients were enrolled. The KC group comprised 50 eyes and the Others group comprised 51 eyes (herpes [n = 22], corneal leukoma [n = 12], and other [n = 17]). The mean period after PK was 27.2 years in the KC group and 26.0 years in the Others group. Recurrent KCs were observed in 18 eyes of 14 patients (36%), all of whom were in the KC group (p = 0.0001). Six of these eyes underwent PK again and all the grafts showed keratoconic changes histopathologically. The mean Ks during the whole observation period was 52.5 diopters (D) in the KC group and 49.2 D in the Others group (p < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed the risk factors of recurrent KC with positive Ks change and large CYL with significant p values (p = 0.0102, 0.0318, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: KC progresses even after PK over the long term, requiring re-grafting in some cases. Risk factors for recurrent KC after PK are increasing Ks over time and a large CYL.

Factors associated with developing a fear of falling in subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the relationship between clinical risk factors, including visual field (VF) defects and visual acuity, and a fear of falling, among patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: All participants answered the following question at a baseline ophthalmic examination: Are you afraid of falling? The same question was then answered every 12 months for 3 years. A binocular integrated visual field was calculated by merging a patient's monocular Humphrey field analyzer VFs, using the 'best sensitivity' method. The means of total deviation values in the whole, superior peripheral, superior central, inferior central, and inferior peripheral VFs were calculated. The relationship between these mean VF measurements, and various clinical factors, against patients' baseline fear of falling and future fear of falling was analyzed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 392 POAG subjects, 342 patients (87.2%) responded to the fear of falling question at least twice in the 3 years study period. The optimal regression model for patients' baseline fear of falling included age, gender, mean of total deviation values in the inferior peripheral VF and number of previous falls. The optimal regression equation for future fear of falling included age, gender, mean of total deviation values in the inferior peripheral VF and number of previous falls. CONCLUSION: Defects in the inferior peripheral VF area are significantly related to the development of a fear of falling.

Detecting glaucomatous progression with infrequent visual field testing.

PURPOSE: Previous work has investigated whether a significant regression slope in the first 2 years for the summary index Mean Deviation (MD) is predictive of rapid (≤-2 dB year-1 ) glaucomatous visual field progression. This work assumed six visual fields were obtained as per management guidelines, but in clinical practice commonly only two or three fields are measured. We used simulation methods to investigate how reducing test frequency influences the prediction of rapid visual field progression, along with the influence of including criteria based on regression slope. METHODS: We simulated visual field series (N = 100 000) spaced annually in the first 2 years and then biennially. We calculated positive and negative predictive values (PPV & NPV) for detecting rapid progression, based on a criterion of a significant negative regression slope of any magnitude, or of a magnitude less than a particular limit. We performed a second simulation using test frequency and disease prevalence parameters from a dataset of 255 glaucoma patients from The University of Tokyo Hospital, to check the validity of our method. RESULTS: Prediction values at 2 years were slightly less than those obtained using six visual fields. An addition of an appropriate slope based criterion materially improved PPV, with little detrimental effect on NPV. Simulated prediction values for the Tokyo dataset were similar to those determined empirically. CONCLUSION: Infrequent visual field testing does not dramatically alter predictive values at 2 years, but does substantially delay when significant progression may first be detected.

Factors associated with the occurrence of a fall in subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to investigate risk factors for future falls in subject with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: All participants answered the following question at their baseline ophthalmic examination: Have you had any falls in the last year? (Yes/No). All study participants answered the same question every 12 months for 3 years. The means of total deviation values in the whole, superior peripheral, superior central, inferior central, and inferior peripheral visual fields (VF) were calculated. The relationship between these mean VF measurements, and various clinical factors against patients' future falls was analyzed using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Two-hundred ninety four POAG patients answered the baseline and follow-up fall questionnaires over a period of three years. Among 294 subjects, 69 patients experienced a fall during the three-year follow-up. History of falls at baseline (coefficient = 1.22), history of fear of falling at baseline (0.53), best corrected visual acuity in the worse eye (7.37), prevalence of diabetes mellitus (0.60), prevalence of systemic hypertension (0.53) were selected in the optimal model. CONCLUSIONS: Visual acuity in the worse eye, history of falls, fear of falling, diabetes mellitus, and systemic hypertension are risk factors for falling in subjects with POAG.

The dental resin monomers HEMA and TEGDMA have inhibitory effects on osteoclast differentiation with low cytotoxicity.

The dental resin monomers 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) are released from the resin matrix due to unpolymerized monomers; once released, they influence various biological functions and the viability of cells in the oral environment. Although HEMA and TEGDMA have various effects on cells, including inflammation, inhibition of cell proliferation or differentiation, and apoptosis, the effects of these monomers on osteoclasts remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of HEMA and TEGDMA on osteoclast differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages or murine monocytic cell line RAW-D. Both HEMA and TEGDMA inhibited osteoclast formation and their bone-resorbing activity at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Moreover, HEMA and TEGDMA decreased the expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic-1 (NFATc1), a master regulator of osteoclast differentiation, and of osteoclast markers that are transcriptionally regulated by NFATc1, including Src and cathepsin K. Regarding their effects on signaling pathways involved in osteoclast differentiation, HEMA impaired the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and Jun N-terminal kinase, whereas TEGDMA attenuated the phosphorylation of Akt and Jun N-terminal kinase. Thus, HEMA and TEGDMA inhibit osteoclast differentiation through different signaling pathways. This is the first report on the effects of the monomers HEMA and TEGDMA on osteoclasts. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.