Ring Characteristics and Compressive Strength of Japanese Cedar Trees Grown Under Different Silvicultural Treatments

The effects of different plantation spacings and thinning treatments on the ring characteristics, compressive strength, and dynamic modulus of elasticity (DMOE) of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) trees were investigated. The results revealed that young trees of more-closely spaced plantations (3000 trees/ha) had higher wood density and compressive strength than those of more-widely spaced plantations (2200 trees/ha). Different (first and second) thinning treatments of the 2 initial spacings had little effect on ring characteristics or compressive strength. Overall, the average ring characteristics, compressive strength, and DMOE of 35-yr-old Japanese cedar at different plantation spacings and thinning treatments showed no statistically significant differences. The results suggest that using these silvicultural treatments with a longer rotation age will have no detrimental effects on the wood density, compressive strength, or DMOE

Significant association of hematinic deficiencies and high blood homocysteine levels with burning mouth syndrome

Background/PurposeBurning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by a burning sensation of the oral mucosa in the absence of clinically apparent mucosal alterations. In this study, we evaluated whether there was an intimate association of the deficiency of hemoglobin (Hb), iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid; high blood homocysteine level; and serum gastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA) positivity with BMS.MethodsBlood Hb, iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, and homocysteine concentrations and the serum GPCA level were measured in 399 BMS patients and compared with the corresponding levels in 399 age- and sex-matched healthy control individuals.ResultsWe found that 89 (22.3%), 81 (20.3%), 10 (2.5%), and six (1.5%) BMS patients had deficiencies of Hb (men: <13 g/dL, women: <12 g/dL), iron (<60 μg/dL), vitamin B12 (<200 pg/mL), and folic acid (<4 ng/mL), respectively. Moreover, 89 (22.3%) BMS patients had abnormally high blood homocysteine level and 53 (13.3%) had serum GPCA positivity. BMS patients had a significantly higher frequency of Hb, iron, or vitamin B12 deficiency; of abnormally elevated blood homocysteine level; or of serum GPCA positivity than the healthy control group (all p < 0.001 except for vitamin B12 deficiency, for which p = 0.004). However, no significant difference in frequency of folic acid deficiency (p = 0.129) was found between BMS patients and healthy control individuals.ConclusionWe conclude that there is a significant association of deficiency of Hb, iron, and vitamin B12; abnormally high blood homocysteine level; and serum GPCA positivity with BMS

Effects of ranibizumab on human corneal endothelial cells

AbstractPurposeThis study aims to evaluate corneal endothelial changes occurring over a 3-month period after intravitreal injections of ranibizumab in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration.MethodsThis is a prospective case series. A total of 29 patients (29 eyes) received a 0.5-mg intravitreal injection of ranibizumab. Specular microscopy, including measurement of central corneal thickness and endothelial cell count, was performed on each patient prior to and after completing three intravitreal injections.ResultsAll patients received three intravitreal injections and were followed up for a mean of 3 months. There was no significant change in corneal thickness (p = 0.32) or endothelial cell density (p = 0.38) after ranibizumab injections.ConclusionIntravitreal ranibizumab injections (0.5 mg) have no harmful effects on corneal endothelial cells

Changes in corneal curvature after wearing the orthokeratology lens

AbstractIntroductionThe orthokeratology lens (OK lens) is designed to reshape the cornea and correct refraction error. Owing to the convenience of ceasing the use of glasses during the day, the use of the OK lens is increasing in myopic children. In this study, changes in corneal curvature and astigmatism after wearing the OK lens were analyzed.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 65 children (130 eyes) who underwent full and regular examinations. None of the participants had any ocular disease other than myopia and astigmatism. The OK lenses used in this study were four-zone, reverse-geometry lenses. The corneal curvature of each patient was checked annually after the patients discontinued daily wearing of the OK lens for 10 days. Student t test and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) analyses were performed to compare the results.ResultsThe radius of corneal curvature showed a progressive annual increase with significant differences, both in the steepest and flattest radius of the corneal curvature (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). The mean radius of the steepest and flattest corneal curvature increased significantly from baseline to the following years consecutively (all p < 0.001). Nevertheless, astigmatism did not change significantly in any of the tests.ConclusionCorneal curvature changed as the patients grew older. There was a statistically significant increase in the radius of the corneal curvature in the myopic children studied. For correct fit of OK lenses, the radius of the corneal curvature should be regularly checked prior to dispensing a new set of lenses

Evaluation of the diagnostic performance of infrared imaging of the breast: a preliminary study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The study was conducted to investigate the diagnostic performance of infrared (IR) imaging of the breast using an interpretive model derived from a scoring system.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of our hospital. A total of 276 women (mean age = 50.8 years, SD 11.8) with suspicious findings on mammograms or ultrasound received IR imaging of the breast before excisional biopsy. The interpreting radiologists scored the lesions using a scoring system that combines five IR signs. The ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve and AUC (area under the ROC curve) were analyzed by the univariate logistic regression model for each IR sign and an age-adjusted multivariate logistic regression model including 5 IR signs. The cut-off values and corresponding sensitivity, specificity, Youden's Index (Index = sensitivity+specificity-1), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) were estimated from the age-adjusted multivariate model. The most optimal cut-off value was determined by the one with highest Youden's Index.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For the univariate model, the AUC of the ROC curve from five IR signs ranged from 0.557 to 0.701, and the AUC of the ROC from the age-adjusted multivariate model was 0.828. From the ROC derived from the multivariate model, the sensitivity of the most optimal cut-off value would be 72.4% with the corresponding specificity 76.6% (Youden's Index = 0.49), PPV 81.3% and NPV 66.4%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We established an interpretive age-adjusted multivariate model for IR imaging of the breast. The cut-off values and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity can be inferred from the model in a subpopulation for diagnostic purpose.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>NCT00166998.</p