Correlation between the matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity and chondroitin sulfate concentrations in tear fluid after laser in situ keratomileusis

Tetsuya Mutoh, Masaya Nishio, Yukihiro Matsumoto, Kiyomi Arai Department of Ophthalmology, Dokkyo Medical University Koshigaya Hospital, Koshigaya, Saitama, JapanAims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between matrix ­metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) concentrations in human tear fluid following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).Methods: Twelve eyes from six patients who had no ocular complaints except for ­refractive errors, and who had undergone LASIK, were enrolled in this study. We measured the ­concentrations of chondroitin 4 sulfate (C4S), chondroitin 6 sulfate (C6S), and MMP-9 activity with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and an enzyme immunocapture activity assay preoperatively and postoperatively on days 1 and 4, week 1, and at 1 and 3 months.Results: Although the preoperative MMP-9 activity and the C4S concentration were highly correlated (r = 0.900; P < 0.001), they were not postoperatively correlated at month 1. Although the preoperative MMP-9 activity and the C6S concentration were highly ­correlated (r = 0.885; P < 0.001), they were not postoperatively correlated at either week 1 or months 1 and 3.Conclusions: The correlation appeared to be collapsed by LASIK, and it did not recover to the preoperative score at 3 months post-surgery. Our study indicates that the corneal wound healing was not terminated at 3 months following LASIK.Keywords: preoperative correlation, postoperative correlation, wound healing, refractive errors, human corne

Effect of shin'iseihaito on lung colonization of pneumococcus in murine model

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) causes various serious diseases including sinusitis, pneumonia, and meningitis. One serious problem observed recently with pneumococcal therapy is attenuation of the antibiotic effect because of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pneumococcus. Shin’iseihaito, a traditional Japanese medicine based on ancient Chinese medicine, has been used for treatment of otolaryngeal diseases in Japan. The objective of this study was to examine the anti-infectious effects of shin’iseihaito and its related mechanism.Materials and Methods: We evaluated the beneficial effect of shin’iseihaito extract (SSHT) against pneumococcus-infected murine model. The colonization of bacteria, blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) killing activity, the levels of inflammatory cytokine and IgA were investigated.Results: The pneumococcus from blood was not found in both SSHT-treated mice and untreated mice. However, the pneumococcal colonization of lung was significantly (p<0.05) lower after SSHT administration compared with untreated mice. Blood bactericidal assay showed that no significant difference (p=0.07) was observed in the anti-bacterial effect between SSHT-treated mice and untreated mice. However, BAL bactericidal assay showed that the survival rate of pneumococcus using the BAL from SSHT-treated mice was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that using the BAL from untreated mice. We also found increased levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IgA in pneumococcus-infected mice treated with SSHT.Conclusions: SSHT decreased the colonization rate after pneumococcal infection and up-regulated BAL bactericidal activity through modulation of inflammatory cytokines and IgA. Our data also suggest SSHT may be useful for the treatment of pneumococcal infection.Keywords: shin'iseihito, Streptococcus pneumoniae, murine model, inflammatory cytokine, Ig

Photorefractive keratectomy: measuring the matrix metalloproteinase activity and chondroitin sulfate concentration in tear fluid

We herein report the case of a 20-year-old man who underwent a photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). We measured matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity and chondroitin 4 sulfate and chondroitin 6 sulfate concentrations in tear fluid. Tear fluid was collected pre-operatively via microcapillary tube, and was collected postoperatively on the first and fourth days, and after one week, one month, three months, and six months. Samples were formulated by dilution with 200 μL of saline. MMP-9 activity was analyzed by an enzyme immunocapture activity assay, and the concentrations of chondroitin sulfate were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. No complications were observed after surgery, except for a minimal subepithelial haze. Although MMP-9 activity changed on the fourth postoperative day, the activity changed only minimally at this time. Chondroitin 4 sulfate concentrations in tear fluid increased dramatically from one week to one month, decreased transiently at three months, and increased by six months. The chondroitin 6 sulfate concentration did not normalize within one week, and decreased from one week to three months compared with the preoperative score, and was close to the preoperative score at six months. We conclude that corneal wound healing was still incomplete six months after PRK, and chondroitin 4 sulfate appears to be critical in this process

Genetic variation of Japanese loach inferred from restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of mitochondrial DNA

Genetic analysis using restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of D-loop region in the mitochondrial DNA including the part of 12s RNA and cytochrome b genes was made to clarify genetic variations and relations and relationships among eleven populations of Japanese loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus. Ten haplotypes were detected using seven restriction enzymes (Alu I, Hinc II, Msp I, EcoR I, Hinf I, Hae III and Taq I). The differences between each pair of the populations were significant (

Pre- and Postoperative Ocular Events in Cataract Patients with Small Pupils who Underwent Cataract Surgery

Purpose：To analyze pre- and postoperative surgical events in cataract patients with small pupils who underwent cataract surgery.Patients and methods：We reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent cataract surgery between January 2009 and May 2014 at Dokkyo Medical University Koshigaya Hospital. Surgery was performed by four experienced surgeons. We included 106 eyes from 83 patients with pupil sizes ＜5 mm in diameter who required iris retractors during the cataract surgery （small pupil group）. The control group was comprised of 447 eyes from 319 patients with pupil sizes ＞5 mm in diameter who did not require a mechanical dilatation of the pupil during cataract surgery. Pre- and postoperative intra- or extraocular surgical events were analyzed.Results：Preoperative intra- or extraocular surgical events were observed in 36 eyes （34.0％） in the small pupil group and 72 eyes （16.1％） in the control group, with a significant difference observed for those who underwent laser iridotomy （P＜0.001） and trabeclectomy （P＜0.01）. Postoperative intra- or extraocular events were observed in 25 eyes （23.6％） in the small pupil group and 61 eyes （13.7％） in the control group, with significant differences observed for those who underwent the following procedures：trabeculectomy （P＜0.001）, sub-Tenon’s injection of triamcinolone acetonide （P＜0.001）, and posterior capsulotomy （P＝0.012）.Conclusion：Cataract patients with small pupils often have pre- and postoperative intra- or extraocular surgical events. It should be recognized that cataract surgery is only one step in the treatment of cataract patients with small pupils

Insight into the migratory history using otolith Sr : Ca ratio of the anadromous masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou masou from the Tonegawa River

利根川上流域で採集した大型ヤマメ8個体の回遊性を耳石Sr:Ca比分析を用い検証した。その結果，3個体が降海型，5個体が非回遊型と推定された。最も上流で釣獲された検体（降海型）は，4つの堰を通過し，利根川河口から243km遡上していた。利根川には降海型サクラマスと非回遊型の大型ヤマメが生息しており，環境に応じて柔軟に回遊パターンを変化させている可能性が示唆された。The migratory histories of Oncorhynchus masou masou in the Tonegawa River were evaluated from the ontogenetic changes in otolith Sr:Ca ratios. We sampled 8 fish at 180-243 km upstream from the river mouth. Three fish were categorized as anadromous whereas five individual were categorized as nonanadromous life mode with the constantly low Sr:Ca ratios. Intraspecific variation in the migration modes recorded for O. masou masou suggest a plasticity strategy for anadromous behaviors

Electrostatic Levitation Furnace for the ISS

JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) has just started the development of Electrostatic Levitation Furnace to be launched in 2014 for the ISS. This furnace can control the sample position with electrostatic force and heat it above 2000 degree Celsius using semiconductor laser from four different directions. The announcement of Opportunity will be issued soon for this furnace. In this paper, we will show the specifications of this furnace and also the development schedul

A questionnaire-based comparative study of postoperative quality of life between laryngotracheal separation and tracheoesophageal diversion

Purpose: Whether tracheoesophageal diversion (TED) is preferable to laryngotracheal separation (LTS) is unclear. This study examined the need for tracheoesophageal anastomosis by reviewing complications after TED and LTS and administering a questionnaire on postoperative quality of life.Patients and methods: Medical records of TED/LTS cases performed at a single institution from 2003 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed and a questionnaire was administered to parents of patients at an outpatient visit.Results: A total of 40 TED and 18 LTS cases were included. Complications occurred in six TED cases and one LTS case, with no significant differences between groups (P=0.42). A total of 22 parents of patients (TED 16 cases; LTS six cases) completed the questionnaire. Voice production was reported in three TED cases and two LTS cases. Patients indicated that suctions were ‘decreased’ in 13 and ‘unchanged’ in two TED cases, but ‘decreased’ in one and ‘unchanged’ in five LTS cases (P=0.0055). Readmissions were ‘increased’ in one and ‘decreased’ in 14 TED cases, but ‘decreased’ in three and ‘unchanged’ in three LTS cases (P=0.015).Conclusion: Postoperative complication rate was equivalent between groups, and the numbers of suctions and readmissions were decreased in the TED group. Therefore, tracheoesophageal anastomosis should be performed more commonly.Keywords: complication, laryngotracheal separation, quality of life questionnaire, tracheoesophageal diversio