Numerical studies of confinement in the lattice Landau gauge

Critical conjectures on confinement in the Landau gauge is numerically tested in focus to Gribov copy effects. One of the subjects is of the Kugo-Ojima confinement criterion and the other is of various viewpoints in the Gribov-Zwanziger theory. We use the smearing gauge as a reference gauge free of Gribov copy, and performed three types of simulations, log U, U-linear and log U in the smearing gauge. It is found that Gribov copy effect on the Kugo-Ojima parameter is small. log U and U-linear simulations yield only global scale factor difference in gluon propagator and in ghost propagator, and about 10% difference in Kugo-Ojima parameter. The horizon function defined by Zwanziger is evaluated in three types of gauge field and compared. All data show the negative horizon function as expected.Comment: 4 pages, 2 eps figures, espcrc2.sty included, Lattice 2000 contribution(Confinement and Strings

Retro-mode imaging of fibrovascular membrane in proliferative diabetic retinopathy after intravitreal bevacizumab injection

The F10 is a new commercially available scanning laser confocal ophthalmoscope (SLO) that can perform multiple functions. We determined the usefulness of noninvasive evaluation of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) pathologies before and after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (IVB) using the new indirect viewing system of the retro-mode function of the F10 SLO, and compared the images histologically with surgically excised fibrovascular membrane from two cases. In PDR, neovascular vessels in fibrovascular membrane were clearly seen with the retro-mode, even after IVB and without blood flow. The F10 SLO may be useful in evaluating neovascular vessels in fibrovascular membrane in PDR and for determining the precise retinal changes in diabetic retinopathy

Succinate Increases in the Vitreous Fluid of Patients With Active Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose: To examine vitreous succinate levels from proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients and ascertain their association with PDR activity. Design: Comparative case series. Methods: A total of 81 eyes of 72 PDR patients were divided into active PDR (22 eyes), quiescent PDR (21 eyes), and active PDR with intravitreal bevacizumab injection (38 eyes). Twenty epiretinal membrane (ERM) patients (21 eyes) served as controls. Results: Mean vitreous succinate levels were 1.27 μM in ERM and 2.20 μM in PDR, with the differences statistically significant (P = .03). When comparing mean vitreous succinate levels (active PDR: 3.32 μM; quiescent PDR: 1.02 μM; active PDR with intravitreal bevacizumab injection: 1.20 μM), significant differences were found between active and quiescent PDR (P < .01) and between active PDR and active PDR with intravitreal bevacizumab injection (P < .01). Even though succinate levels were low, retinopathy activities were very high in patients with active PDR with intravitreal bevacizumab injection. Mean vitreous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels (active PDR: 1696 pg/mL; quiescent PDR: 110 pg/mL; active PDR with intravitreal bevacizumab injection: n.d.) were similar to previous reports. Mean vitreous erythropoietin levels (active PDR: 703 mIU/mL; quiescent PDR: 305 mIU/mL; active PDR with intravitreal bevacizumab injection: 1562 mIU/mL) suggested very high retinopathy activities in patients with active PDR with intravitreal bevacizumab injection. Conclusions: Succinate, like VEGF, may be an angiogenic factor that is induced by ischemia in PDR. Although succinate is reported to promote VEGF expression, VEGF inhibition decreases succinate. Thus, VEGF, via a positive feedback mechanism, may regulate succinate

RETINAL BLOOD FLOW LEVELS MEASURED BY LASER SPECKLE FLOWGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WHO RECEIVED INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB INJECTION FOR MACULAR EDEMA SECONDARY TO CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

Purpose: To report retinal blood flow levels measured by Laser speckle flowgraphy in three patients after they received an intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) for macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods: Three patients (3 eyes) being treated with IVB (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) for secondary macular edema of CRVO were examined. Laser speckle flowgraphy analyses of the blood flow were based on the examinations of mean blur rate (MBR) at the major vessels of the optic disk. Central retinal thickness (CRT) was measured by optical coherence tomography using Macular Cube 512 128 scanning protocol. Results: After the first IVB, Case 1 exhibited an increase in MBR and decrease in CRT. After 4months, an additional injectionwas required because of a subsequentMBR decrease and CRT increase, which led to an increase inMBR and decrease in CRT similar to that observed after the first treatment. Subsequently, blood flow has continued to improve without additional IVB. Macular edema recurrence in Case 2 led to 3 further IVBs over a 6-month period. Although increases inMBRanddecreases inCRTwerenoted,MBRvalues tendedtodeclineafter eachIVB. In Case 3, macular edema recurrence led to 5 additional IVBs being carried out within a 1-year period. Continuous MBR increases and CRT decreases were observed in the patient after each IVB. By measuringMBR using laser speckle flowgraphy,wemay predict the prognosis of CRVO. Conclusion: Mean blur rate increases after IVB were confirmed by laser speckle flowgraphy in three patients. Even though CRVO pathology backgrounds can vary, laser speckle flowgraphy may be useful in both determining the CRVO prognosis and in evaluating treatment efficacy

A novel in vivo corneal trans-epithelial electrical resistance measurement device

Purpose: To develop a device that is capable of easily measuring corneal transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and changes in the corneal barrier function. Methods: We had previously developed an in vivo method for measuring corneal TER using intraocular electrode. This method can be used to precisely measure the decline of the corneal barrier function after instillation of benzalkonium chloride (BAC). In order to lessen the invasiveness of that procedure, we further refined the method for measuring the corneal TER by developing electrodes that could be placed on the cornea and in the conjunctival sac instead of inserting them into the anterior chamber. TER was then calculated by subtracting the electrical resistance, which lacked the corneal epithelial input, from the whole electrical resistance that was measured between the electrodes. Slit lamp examination and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to determine safety of the new device. Corneal TER changes after exposure to 0.02% BAC were determined using the new device as well as SEM and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: Slit lamp examination before and after exposure of rabbits\u27 corneas to the sensor confirmed safety of the device. SEM examination revealed no difference of the corneal epithelium which exposed to the new device with normal corneas. SEM and TEM pictures revealed damaged microvilli and tight junctions after instillation of 0.02% BAC. TER change after treatment with 0.02%BAC was similar to those determined by the established anterior chamber method. Conclusion: We succeeded to develop a less invasive device for corneal TER measurement in vivo in animals. This new device may be applicable in the future for clinical use in humans

Imaging of Laser-Photocoagulated Diabetic Microaneurysm With Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To analyze the morphology of microaneurysms before and after direct photocoagulation using spectral domain optical coherence tomography.METHODS: In 13 eyes of diabetic patients who underwent focal photocoagulation for clinically significant macular edema, microaneurysms were evaluated before, immediately after, 1 month after, and 2 months after photocoagulation with spectral domain optical coherence tomography.The microaneurysms were also evaluated by fluorescein angiography and color fundus photography.The patients underwent focal photocoagulation for microaneurysm.RESULTS: The microaneurysms before photocoagulation in spectral domain optical coherence tomography were observed as circular or elliptical structures with hyperreflective foci within vessel walls.Immediately after photocoagulation, the microaneurysms were changed to indistinct lesions with hyperreflectivity around the microaneurysms.Acoustic shadows developed on the choroidal side of the microaneurysms.If photocoagulation for microaneurysms was appropriately done, retinal changes were limited to within the inner retina around the microaneurysms and no changes were observed in retinal pigment epithelium.Within 2 months after photocoagulation, the microaneurysms changed into fine scars and the retinal structure normalized.Average retinal thickness of the fovea was 432 ± 70 μm before the procedure but reduced to 373 ± 84 μm at 2 months post surgery.CONCLUSION: Focal photocoagulation may be a less invasive method for treating microaneurysms, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography is useful for evaluating the efficacy of photocoagulation

Carbon Ion Radiotherapy for Skull Base and Paracervical Tumors

Purpose: To estimate the toxicity and efficacy of carbon ion radiotherapy for skull base and paracervicaltumors in clinical trials.Patients and Methods: A phase I/II dose escalation study for skull base and paracervical tumors was initiated inApril 1997. The patients were treated with 16 fractions for 4 weeks with a total dose of 48.0, 52.8, 57.6, or60.8Gy equivalents (GyE). In April of 2004, a phase II study was initiated with an irradiation schedule of60.8GyE in 16 fractions over four weeks. There were 76 patients included in the analysis. Histologically, 44patients had chordoma, 12 chondrosarcoma, 9 olfactory neuroblastoma, 7 malignant meningioma, 1 giant celltumor, and 1 had a neuroendocrine carcinoma. The patients were treated with a dose of 48.0 GyE (4 patients),52.8 GyE (6 patients), 57.6 GyE (9 patients) or 60.8 GyE (57 patients).Results: The follow-up periods ranged from 3 to 158 months, with a median period of 46 months. At the timeof the analysis, there was no evidence of any serious acute (Grade &#8805;4 ) or late (Grade &#8805;3) reactions. The 5-yearlocal control and overall survival rates for all patients were 88% and 82%, respectively. The 5-year local controland overall survival rates for chordoma patients were 88% and 87%, respectively.Conclusion: A carbon ion dose of 60.8GyE in 16 fractions was effective and safe for the treatment of skullbase and paracervical tumors.2nd NIRS-ETOILE Joint Symposium on Carbon Ion Therap