Expression Profile of Intravitreous Cytokines, Chemokines and Growth Factors in Patients with Fuchs Heterochromic Iridocyclitis

Purpose: To report the postoperative courses of 2 patients with Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis (FHI) and the concentrations of various cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in vitreous fluid samples to obtain insights into pathobiochemical aspects. Subjects: The patients were a 27- and a 47-year-old woman. Phacoemulsification and aspiration, intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, and pars plana vitrectomy were performed to treat their cataracts and vitreous opacities. During their early postoperative periods, inflammatory cells precipitated on the IOL and intraocular pressure was increased in both patients. Methods: At the time of surgery, undiluted vitreous fluid specimens were collected. The concentrations of multiple cytokines, chemokines and growth factors were measured by a bead array immunodetection system. Results: The levels of interleukin-1ra, -5, -6, -8, -10 and -13, interferon-inducible 10-kDa protein, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, macrophage inflammatory protein 1β, and regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) were significantly elevated in vitreous fluid in both patients. Conclusion: Although the postoperative course was generally favorable in patients with FHI, steroid instillation was necessary for a few months postoperatively, as precipitates easily formed on the IOL surface and elevated intraocular pressure. The profiles of intravitreal concentrations of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors may characterize postoperative inflammatory reactions

Impact of ganglionated plexi ablation on high-frequency stimulation-induced changes in atrial fibrillation cycle length in the pulmonary vein

AbstractBackgroundWe assessed high-frequency stimulation (HFS)-induced changes in the atrial fibrillation (AF) cycle length (AFCL) in the pulmonary vein (PV) after ganglionated plexi (GP) ablation.MethodsTwenty-two patients undergoing catheter ablation for AF were retrospectively enrolled. Sites showing a vagal response (VR) to HFS were defined as GP-positive sites. AFCL was determined in the adjacent PV, distant PV, coronary sinus, and right atrium. Twenty cycles were counted before and after each HFS. After radiofrequency application to the GP site, HFS was repeated.ResultsAt GP-positive sites (n=57), significant shortening of the AFCL was detected in the adjacent PV (17% shortening, 165±38 to 137±27ms, p<0.001) and distant PV (4.8% shortening, p<0.001), but not in the coronary sinus (0.8% shortening, p=0.27) or right atrium (1.8% shortening, p=0.06). However, no significant shortening was observed at GP-negative sites (n=25). At 41 of the 57 sites where VR disappeared after a single radiofrequency application, no significant shortening was observed in the adjacent PV (2.1% shortening, p=0.25). At 16 of the 57 sites where VR was still present, significant shortening was observed in the adjacent PV (16% shortening, p<0.001).ConclusionsHFS of the GP has a strong influence on AFCL in the PV

Anonymization server system for DICOM images

We have developed an anonymization system for DICOM images. It requires consent from the patient to use the DICOM images for research or education. However, providing the DICOM image to the other facilities is not safe because it contains a lot of personal data. Our system is a server that provides anonymization service of DICOM images for users in the facility. The distinctive features of the system are, input interface, flexible anonymization policy, and automatic body part identification. In the first feature, we can use the anonymization service on the existing DICOM workstations. In the second feature, we can select a best policy fitting for the Protection of personal data that is ruled by each medical facility. In the third feature, we can identify the body parts that are included in the input image set, even if the set lacks the body part tag in DICOM header. We installed the system for the first time to a hospital in December 2005. Currently, the system is working in other four facilities. In this paper we describe the system and how it works

Distribution and Major Sources of Flavonoid Intakes in the Middle-Aged Japanese Women

We estimated the intake of individual flavonoids in a cross sectional study and clarified the major sources contributing to the flavonoid levels in the middle-aged Japanese women by a 24-h weighed dietary record study. The subjects included in the study were 516 free-living women. Each subject completed a 24-h weighed dietary record and received a health check-up. We used the Functional Food Factor database for estimating the intake of 5 major flavonoid intakes, i.e. flavan-3-ols, isoflavones, flavonols, flavanones and flavones. The mean intake of flavan-3-ols, isoflavones, flavonols, flavanones and flavones was 1277, 216, 58, 31 and 15 µmol/d, respectively. The richest source of flavan-3-ols was green tea. The 3 major food sources of isoflavone were the processed soy foods and those of flavonol were the onion, moroheiya (nalta jute) and Japanese radish leaves. Grapefruit and citrus fruit juices were the major sources of flavanones, and tsurumurasaki (malabar spinach), green pepper and grapefruit were the main sources of flavone. Furthermore, analysis of sub-samples from middle-aged Japanese women indicated that there may be an association between flavonoid intake and the levels of oxidized LDL, which might be related to the incidence of cardiovascular diseases