Quantitative Analysis of Macular Inner Retinal Layer Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients with Optic Tract Syndrome

Objective. To evaluate macular inner retinal layers using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) in patients with homonymous hemianopia due to optic tract syndrome (OTS). Methods. Sixteen eyes of 8 patients with OTS were studied. The macular retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL), ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer (GCL + IPL), and mRNFL and GCL + IPL (GCC) were measured by SS-OCT (DRI OCT-1 Atlantis®).The scanned area was divided into eight regions and two hemiretinae. Each retinal thickness of the OTS group was compared with that of the 25 control subjects. Results. The GCC thickness in the ipsilateral eyes was significantly reduced in all regions, although predominant thinning of the GCC in the contralateral eyes was found in the nasal region. The GCC + IPL thickness was preferentially reduced at the temporal regions in the ipsilateral eyes and at the nasal regions in the contralateral eyes. The reduction rate of the GCL + IPL thickness was 29.6% at the temporal hemiretina in the ipsilateral eyes and 35.2% at the nasal hemiretina in the contralateral eyes. Conclusion. We found preferential loss of the GCC + IPL thickness corresponding to the hemifield defects in each eye. Quantitative analysis by SS-OCT is capable of detecting the characteristic RGC loss due to OTS

Development of a screening system for central visual field using the eye-tracking device\n

　Background: Visual field test with gaze movements do not require a subjective response because they are based on reflexive movements. In this study, we developed a visual field test system with gaze movements to perform a central visual field screening, and then examined the reproducibility of the measurements in healthy adult volunteers.　Methods: We examined 30 right eyes of 30 healthy volunteers (mean age, 22.7 ± 5.2 years) with a best-corrected visual acuity of at least 20/20. Gazefinder, an eye-tracking device, was used to measure gaze movements. Subjects with refractive correction were asked to follow a white target presented on a monitor. If a subject can accurately perform eye tracking with respect to the visual target, visual field with gaze movements measurements are theoretically possible in eight directions (horizontal/vertical to 15.3° and oblique to 21.5° ). After a total of three measurements, the data were quantified using analysis software (CreateChart). Finally, the intraclass correlation coefficients of the measurement values were obtained.　Results: The difference between theoretical and actual measurement values, which is thought to reflect gaze accuracy, were –0.1° ± 0.9° for upper, –0.6° ± 1.0° for upper right, –0.2° ± 1.0° for right, –0.8° ± 0.9° for lower right, –0.5° ± 0.7° for lower, –0.5° ± 0.9° for lower left, –0.6 ° ± 0.5 ° for left, and –0.6 ° ± 0.5 ° for upper left. No significant differences were found among the eight directions, and gaze accuracy was high, at within 1°. The intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.6 or higher in each direction (P < 0.01), indicating high repeatability.　Conclusions: In the traditional method for measuring visual field with gaze movements, the fixation point of view needs to be reset for each gaze movement. On the other hand, the system developed in this study has the advantage of not requiring eye movements to return to the fixation point. The present findings indicate that our newly developed system is a useful device when standard perimetry is difficult to measure

Visual acuity of amblyopic eye under binocular condition and stereopsis in anisometropic amblyopia

　片眼弱視における視機能障害の主な原因のひとつとして，眼間抑制の不均衡，すなわち健眼から弱視眼への抑制の影響が知られている．この不均衡の程度は，日常臨床では片眼を完全に遮閉した状態で測定した一眼の視力（片眼遮閉視力）と両眼を開放した状態で測定した一眼の視力（両眼開放視力）を比較することで評価が可能と考えられている．　これまで，弱視治療により弱視眼の片眼遮閉視力が1.0以上に回復した不同視弱視症例において，眼間抑制の不均衡がどの程度残存しているかは報告者によって異なる見解が示されている．そこで，本研究では，弱視治療により弱視眼の片眼遮閉視力が1.0以上に到達した不同視弱視患者17例を対象に，方向変換ミラーによる両眼開放視力および Titmus stereo test による立体視機能について検討を行った．　その結果，弱視眼の平均両眼開放視力は平均片眼遮閉視力よりも有意に不良であった（p<0.001）．なお，17例中13例（76％）は両眼開放視力が片眼遮閉視力よりも低値を示し，17例中４例（24％）は両眼開放視力と片眼遮閉視力に差がなかった．さらに，両眼開放視力の低下がみられた13例のうち７例（54%）が60秒より不良な立体視を示したが，両眼開放視力が同等であった群は全例が60秒より良好な正常立体視を獲得していた．　以上より，弱視治療により片眼遮閉視力が改善した弱視患者においても，眼間抑制の不均衡が残存している症例が多いことが示唆された．　The imbalance of inter-ocular suppression is known to be one of the main causes of visual dysfunction in unilateral amblyopia. The amount of imbalance can be clinically evaluated by comparing visual acuities (VA) of the amblyopic eye between binocular and monocular viewing conditions.　Previous studies have reported inconsistent findings concerning how much the suppression imbalance remains in patients whose monocular VAs of the amblyopic eye improved to more than 1.0 after treatment. In the present study, we measured VAs of the amblyopic eye under binocular and monocular viewing conditions using mirrors and stereoacuities using the Titmus stereo test. Seventeen patients with anisometropic amblyopia participated in a survey after their monocular VAs of the amblyopic eye improved to more than 1.0.　The results indicated that VAs of the amblyopic eye were significantly lower for the binocular condition than for the monocular condition (p<0.001). Thirteen of the 17 patients (76%) showed lower VAs under binocular viewing compared with monocular viewing. There was no difference in VA between the binocular and monocular conditions in the remaining 4 patients (24%). Their stereoacuities were more than 60 seconds of arc, indicating normal stereopsis, whereas 7 of the 13 patients with lower binocular VAs than monocular VAs (54%) showed stereoacuities lower than 60 seconds of arc. The present study suggests that there exists an imbalance of inter-ocular suppression even after treatment of the amblyopic eye in a substantial number of patients with amblyopia

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Peripapillary Capillary Density Reduction Detected Using Optical Coherence Tomography Enface Images and Angiography in Optic Tract Syndrome

In a patient with an optic tract syndrome, we describe the loss of retinal nerve fiber layer and retinal microvasculature using enface and optical coherence tomography angiography image analyses

Conversion of Ancestral Fibroblasts to Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

The emergence of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from an ancestral somatic cell is one of the most important processes underlying their generation but the mechanism has yet to be identified. This is principally because these cells emerge at a low frequency, about 0.1% in the case of fibroblasts, and in a stochastic manner. In our current study, we succeeded in identifying ancestral fibroblasts and the subsequent processes leading to their conversion to iPSCs. The ancestral fibroblasts were found to divide several times in a morphologically symmetric manner, maintaining a fibroblastic shape, and then gradually transform into ES-like cells. Interestingly, this conversion occurred within 48 hours after gene introduction in most iPSC generations. This is the first report to directly observe a cell lineage conversion of somatic cells to stem cells and provides a critical new insight into the black box of iPSCs i.e. the first three days of their generation

Generation of Genome Integration-free Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Fibroblasts of C57BL/6 Mice without c-Myc Transduction

Although the induction of genome integration-free induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has been reported, c-Myc was still required for the efficient generation of these cells. Herein, we report mouse strain-dependent differences in the c-Myc dependence for iPSC generation and the successful generation of genome integration-free iPSCs without c-Myc transduction using C57BL/6 mouse embryonic fibroblasts. We performed 49 independent experiments and obtained a total of 24 iPSC clones, including 18 genome integration-free iPSC clones. These iPSCs were indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells and from iPSCs generated using other methods. Furthermore, the generation of three-factor iPSCs free of virus vectors revealed the contribution of c-Myc to the genomic integration of external genes. C57BL/6 is an inbred mouse strain with substantial advantages for use in genetic and molecular biological studies due to its use in the whole mouse genome sequencing project. Thus, the present series of C57BL/6 iPSCs generated by various procedures will serve as a valuable resource for future genetic studies of iPSC generation

Association of activities of daily living with the load during step ascent motion in nursing home-residing elderly individuals

Objective: This study aimed to examine the association of independence in activities of daily living with the loads during step ascent motion and other motor functions in 32 nursing home–residing elderly individuals. Design: Independence in activities of daily living was assessed by using the Functional Independence Measure. The loads at the upper (i.e., pulling up) and lower (i.e., pushing up) levels during the step ascent task was measured on a step ascent platform. Hip extensor, knee extensor, plantar flexor muscle, and quadriceps setting strengths; lower extremity agility using the stepping test; and hip and knee joint pain severities were measured. One-legged stance and functional reach distance for balance and maximal walking speed, timed up-and-go time, five-chair-stand time, and step ascent time were also measured to assess mobility. Results: Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the load at pushing up during step ascent motion and timed up-and-go time were significant and independent determinants of Functional Independence Measure score. Functional Independence Measure score decreased with decreased load at pushing up and increased timed up-and-go time. Conclusions: The study results suggest that depending on task specificity, both one step up task's push-up peak load during step ascent motion and timed up-and-go can partially explain activities of daily living's Functional Independence Measure score in nursing home–residing elderly individuals. Lower extremity muscle strength, agility, pain, or balance measures did not add to the prediction

Effects of Continuous Intake of Rosemary Extracts on Mental Health in Working Generation Healthy Japanese Men: Post-Hoc Testing of a Randomized Controlled Trial

We previously performed a 4 week interventional trial that suggested that continuous intake of rosemary extract improves the mood states, fatigue, and cognitive function of working generation healthy adult Japanese men. However, the severity of depression in participants in our previous study was relatively mild. Therefore, in the present study, a post-hoc analysis of our previous study was conducted, limited to participants whose total mood disturbance (TMD) scores, which indicate greater mood disturbance, were above the median at baseline, to evaluate whether rosemary extract was effective for individuals with poor mental health. Following the intervention, the scores of TMD and &ldquo;Confusion-Bewilderment&rdquo; were significantly decreased (both p &lt; 0.05), and scores of &ldquo;Vigor-Activity&rdquo; were significantly increased in the rosemary group (n = 8) compared with those in the control group (n = 13; p &lt; 0.01). When comparing the scores from pre- and post-intervention, significant improvements in &ldquo;Tension-Anxiety&rdquo;, &ldquo;Vigor-Activity&rdquo;, &ldquo;Fatigue on awakening&rdquo;, &ldquo;Daytime sleepiness&rdquo;, and &ldquo;Psychomotor speed&rdquo; were observed in the rosemary group only (all p &lt; 0.05). Based on these results, it was expected that rosemary extracts were effective for improving the mental energy and sleep quality of work-age men with poor mental health

Macular retinal and choroidal thickness in unilateral amblyopia using swept-source optical coherence tomography

Abstract Background To investigate macular retinal and choroidal thickness in amblyopic eyes compared to that in fellow and normal eyes using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods This study examined 31 patients with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia (6.9 ± 3.8 years, mean ± standard deviation), 15 patients with strabismic amblyopia without anisometropia (7.9 ± 4.2 years), and 24 age-matched controls (7.8 ± 3.3 years). Retinal and choroidal thickness was measured by 3D scans using SS-OCT. A 6-mm area around the fovea was automatically analyzed using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study map. The thickness from SS-OCT was corrected for magnification error using individual axial length, spherical refraction, cylinder refraction, and corneal radius. Retinal thickness was divided into the macular retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL), ganglion cell layer + inner plexiform layer (GCL+IPL), ganglion cell complex (GCC), and the inner limiting membrane to the retinal pigment epithelium (ILM-RPE) thickness. Retinal and choroidal thickness was compared among amblyopic, fellow, and normal eyes. Results In both amblyopia groups, there was no significant difference in the mRNFL, GCL+IPL, and GCC thicknesses among the amblyopic, fellow, and control eyes. In the anisometropic amblyopia group, choroidal thickness (subfovea, center 1 mm, nasal and inferior of the inner ring, nasal of the outer ring, and center 6 mm) of amblyopic eyes were significantly greater than that of fellow and normal eyes. In contrast, none of the choroidal thicknesses were significantly different among the investigated eyes in the strabismic amblyopia group. Conclusions We found no significant difference in inner retinal thickness in patients with unilateral amblyopia. Although there were significant differences in choroidal thickness with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia, there was no significant difference for the strabismic amblyopia. The discrepancy in choroidal thickness between the two types of amblyopia may be due to both differences in ocular size and underlying mechanism