Dopamine-induced cyclic AMP increase in canine myocardium, kidney and superior mesenteric artery.

The effect of dopamine on cyclic AMP levels in tissue slices of canine myocardium and kidney, and in chopped superior mesenteric arterial wall was investigated to identify dopamine receptors. Tissues were incubated in modified Krebs-Henseleit Ringer bicarbonate solution at 37 degrees C for 20 min with test drugs, after 20-min preincubation. In the presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), dopamine and apomorphine caused dose-dependent increases in cyclic AMP levels in the myocardium, kidney and superior mesenteric artery. Phentolamine significantly intensified the cyclic AMP-increasing effect of dopamine in the superior mesenteric artery, but it did not influence the cyclic AMP increase caused by dopamine or apomorphine in the myocardium and kidney. Propranolol markedly blocked the effect of dopamine on cyclic AMP levels in all tissues studied. Haloperidol slightly inhibited the effect of dopamine and completely blocked the effect of apomorphine in the myocardium and kidney. These data suggest that dopamine increases cyclic AMP levels by activating predominantly beta-adrenergic receptors and partly dopamine receptors in the canine myocardium, kidney and superior mesenteric artery. The present results also suggest that dopamine acts not only on beta-adrenergic and dopamine receptors but also on alpha-adrenergic receptors in the superior mesenteric artery. Contrary to the activation of beta-adrenergic and dopamine receptors, the activation of alpha-adrenergic receptors resulted in a decrease in cyclic AMP levels in this tissue.</p

Correlation between contrast sensitivity and higher-order aberration based on pupil diameter after cataract surgery

Takefumi Yamaguchi1,2, Kazuno Negishi1, Kazuhiko Ohnuma3, Kazuo Tsubota11Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Ichikawa General Hospital, Tokyo Dental College, Chiba; 3Department of Medical System Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba, JapanBackground: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between contrast sensitivity and calculated higher-order aberrations based on individual natural pupil diameter after cataract surgery.Methods: This prospective study included 120 eyes from 92 patients who were randomized to receive one of four lenses, including three aspheric lenses (Acrysof SN60WF, Tecnis ZA9000, and Hoya Py60AD) and one spherical lens (Acrysof SN60AT). Contrast sensitivity, higher-order aberrations of the whole eye, and pupil diameter under photopic and mesopic conditions were measured 1 month postoperatively. Higher-order aberrations were decomposed into Zernike coefficients, calculated according to individual pupil diameter. The correlation between higher-order aberrations and contrast sensitivity was evaluated.Results: There were no significant differences in contrast sensitivity function between the four types of lenses under photopic conditions. However, the contrast sensitivity function and area under log contrast sensitivity function in the aspheric lenses were significantly better than in the spherical lens under mesopic conditions. Under mesopic conditions, spherical aberration in eyes with aspheric lenses was significantly lower than in eyes with spherical lenses (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Under photopic conditions, coma aberration had a significant negative correlation with contrast sensitivity at 12 cycles/degree. Under mesopic conditions, spherical aberration had a significant negative correlation with contrast sensitivity at 3, 6, and 12 cycles/degree with glare, and with contrast sensitivity at 6 and 18 cycles/degree without glare.Conclusion: In terms of influence on visual function, coma aberration may be more significant under photopic conditions and spherical aberration under mesopic conditions.Keywords: mesopic conditions, spherical aberration, wavefront, photopic and mesopic condition

Ocular infestation by a juvenile leech, Myxobdella sinanensis in Japan

[Purpose] The case of ocular infestation by a leech is rare. We reported that Myxobdella sinanensis infests conjunctiva. [Observations] A 5-year-old girl presented with blood clots in the inner corner of the left eye, and a history bloody eye discharge and bloody tears for 5 days. She was prescribed 0.5% levofloxacin ophthalmic drops for conjunctival damage. However, her parent watched a worm moving in her conjunctiva while taking a bath. She presented again the same day, and a worm was found in the left eye of the lower conjunctival fornix and was adsorbed to the inner corner. We removed a worm under eye drop anesthesia, the next day the patient had no symptoms. We captured the worm, and it was identified morphologically and genetically as Myxobdella sinanensis. This was the first case reported of Myxobdella sinanensis be infestation in a human. [Conclusions and Importance] The ecological trait of Myxobdella sinanensis still did not remain clear, so this case report was helpful to find out a life cycle of Myxobdella sinanensis. As the outdoor population continues to increase, the cases of human parasites such as leech are expected to increase. When a patient with bloody eye discharge and bloody tears presents, we should carefully examine the conjunctiva and ocular surfaces, and interview recent history of exposure to stream water

High sensitive X-ray films to detect electron showers in 100 GeV region

Nonscreen type X-ray films were used in emulsion chamber experiments to detect high energy showers in cosmic rays. Ranges of the detection threshold is from about 1 to 2 TeV depending on the exposure conditions. Different types of X-ray films and sheets i.e. high sensitive screen type X-ray films and luminescence sheets were tested. The threshold of the shower detection is found to be about 200 GeV, which is much lower than that of nonscreen type X-ray films. These films are useful to detect showers in the medium energy range, a few hundred GeV, of the cosmic ray electrons

High energy electrons beyond 100 GEV observed by emulsion chamber

Much efforts have been expended to observe the spectrum of electrons in the high energy region with large area emulsion chambers exposed at balloon altitudes, and now 15 electrons beyond 1 TeV have been observed. The observed integral flux at 1 TeV is (3.24 + or - 0.87)x10(-5)/sq m sec sr. The statistics of the data around a few hundred GeV are also improving by using new shower detecting films of high sensitivity. The astrophysical significance of the observed spectrum are discussed for the propagation of electrons based on the leaky box and the nested leaky box model

Sex differences in the relationship between axial length and dry eye in elderly patients

PurposeThe aim of this study was to explore the association between myopia and dry eye (DE)-related ocular parameters.MethodsWe recruited a total of 460 patients (mean age, 73.6 years; 40.2% men) and performed DE-related, axial length (AL) and retinal examinations. Statistical analysis revealed a significant sex difference in AL, strip meniscometry value, corneal staining score, corneal endothelial cell density, ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness, and full macular thickness. AL was strongly age- and sex-dependent, so subsequent analyses were stratified by sex.ResultsAmong DE-related parameters, strip meniscometry value (ß = −0.167, p = 0.033) and corneal endothelial cell density (ß = −0.139, p = 0.023) were correlated with AL in women but not in men. Regarding retinal parameters, GCC thickness and full macular thickness were correlated with AL in women but not in men.ConclusionThe current results suggest a relationship between tear production and AL in elderly women and support the hypothesis that there may be a common upstream factor including the parasympathetic nervous system in the association between tear production and AL or DE and myopia

Conformational diversity of dynactin

Dynactin is a principal regulator of the minus-end directed microtubule motor dynein. The sidearm of dynactin is essential for binding to microtubules and regulation of dynein activity. Although our understanding of the structure of the dynactin backbone (Arp1 rod) has greatly improved recently, structural details of the sidearm subcomplex remain elusive. Here, we report the flexible nature and diverse conformations of dynactin sidearm observed by electron microscopy. Using nanogold labeling and deletion mutant analysis, we determined the domain organization of the largest subunit p150 and discovered that its coiled-coil (CC1), dynein-binding domain, adopted either a folded or an extended form. Furthermore, the entire sidearm exhibited several characteristic forms, and the equilibrium among them depended on salt concentrations. These conformational diversities of the dynactin complex provide clues to understanding how it binds to microtubules and regulates dynein

A case of human infection with Diphyllobothrium in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture

Three strobilae with scoleces were expelled from a 16-year-old man by the administration of 600mg (20mg/kg) praziquantel. The No.1 strobila had a scolex 6.5cm in length. The No.2 strobila had a scolex 28cm in length. The No.3 strobila with a scolex and mature segments was 142cm in length. The No.3 strobila was identified as Diphyllobothrium latum by its morphological characteristics. The No.1 strobila had a scolex similar to that of the No.3 strobila. However, the No.2 strobila was equipped with a hammer-like scolex. This result suggests that the No.2 strobila belonged to species other than D. Latum